Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has revealed that the iPhone 7 handsets featuring modems from QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) are more powerful than those with modems from Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC).

Prior to the iPhone 7, Apple exclusively used modems from Qualcomm. However, the iPhone maker decided to source modems from both Qualcomm and Intel for its latest flagship. This means there are two versions of the iPhone 7 and subsequently, the performance is different. For this reason, a study was carried out on the two variants involving different frequency bands. The idea was to simulate the frequencies provided by different carriers and different countries. The test also simulated signal strengths to determine the performance in poor network conditions.

The results revealed that the iPhone 7 with the Qualcomm model performs better especially when dealing with LTE connections. According to the results of the study, the Qualcomm modems outperformed those manufactured by Intel by a margin of roughly 30% and about 75% when signals are very weak.

“In this day and age with mobile internet consumption at the all-time high, we believe that a mobile device is only as good as its ability to seamlessly connect and maintain its connectivity with the mobile network,” reported the Cellular Insights blog.

Experts believe that the differences in performance between the two devices could become a source of controversy. The same happened when it was discovered that Apple was sourcing chipsets from both Samsung and TSMC, leading to a significant difference in battery life. Qualcomm has supplied modem chips to Apple for the past five years. The two have established a strong relationship and the fact that Qualcomm’s modems are considered the best in the market is one of the reasons for the success. It is, therefore, no surprise that there is a difference in performance.

Apple stock closed the latest trading session at $117.06.