Qualcomm’s China Ruling Only Applies to iOS 11

Qualcomm’s recent legal victory in China comes with a single and debilitating caveat that renders it effectively moot. It only applies to iPhones running iOS 11, the version of the mobile platform that Apple has already replaced. All new iPhones ship with iOS 12.

The price of Apple’s stock had dropped from $168 to $164 per share when the Qualcomm news broke earlier this week. But perhaps a bit of reflection was in order, as the iPhone sales ban in question only applies to handsets that ship with iOS 11. All of Apple’s new iPhones—not just the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, but also newly-sold iPhone 7/7 Plus and iPhone 8/8 Plus models—now ship with iOS 12.

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As a result, Apple told CNBC that the band would have “no material impact” on the company.

Looking at Apple’s stock price this morning, I see that it’s rebounded, literally, to $168. And CNBC has determined that all of the “negativity” about Apple lately means that its stock price is depressed, making this an excellent time to buy.

I have no opinions on buying stock. But Apple does have a rich history of confounding negative reports about iPhone sales. So it’s reasonable to expect the firm to announce in its next quarterly earnings cycle that it has exceeded estimates of iPhone sales, revenues, or both. With Apple no longer reporting unit sales, this news will need to be taken with the proper amount of skepticism. But it will no doubt trigger a nice stock market rebound should it happen.

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Conversation 8 comments

  • glenn8878

    12 December, 2018 - 10:12 am

    <p>Good for Apple. On the bright side, this confirms Apple steals. Shouldn’t Qualcomm sue for lost licensing fees for not paying for past illegal use of its patents?</p>

    • lvthunder

      Premium Member
      12 December, 2018 - 11:17 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#381125">In reply to glenn8878:</a></em></blockquote><p>It was a preliminary injunction. The full court case hasn't happened yet. So this doesn't confirm Apple steals at all.</p>

    • Bob Shutts

      12 December, 2018 - 4:22 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#381125"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a><em> Still, I dumped my Qualcomm stock today. Apple is reported to be planning on manufacturing its own modems by 2020. Apple is bigger and meaner than Qualcomm, and has better lawyers. To quote Jaba the Hutt: "my kind of scum."</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

      • JCerna

        Premium Member
        12 December, 2018 - 9:15 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#381277">In reply to Bob_Shutts:</a></em></blockquote><p>Qualcomm can be bigger than Apple if current plans to be the one maker that is on 70% of Android and PC sales going forward. </p>

    • Greg Green

      13 December, 2018 - 2:47 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#381125">In reply to glenn8878:</a></em></blockquote><p>You have faith in a ruling from the <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(49, 49, 50);">Fuzhou Intermediate People’s Court in China, Comrade?</span></p>

  • Pbike908

    12 December, 2018 - 5:22 pm

    <p>Sounds like a warning from the Chinese to the U.S. regarding the "trade war."</p>

  • dontbe evil

    14 December, 2018 - 1:36 pm

    <p><span style="color: rgb(55, 62, 68); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">but but apple was the one who cared so much about patents and intellectual properties… now is just a minor issue?</span></p>

    • dontbe evil

      17 December, 2018 - 5:11 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#381947">In reply to dontbe_evil:</a></em></blockquote><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245);"> so funny their fans that love so much be milked by their beloved company, got butthurt and downvote the truth</span></p>

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