Almost seven years have passed since Apple bought Intel's modem business, and fifteen since Intel acquired Infineon's wireless division. However, in 2026 we could see support in the main Linux kernel for the XMM6260 modem, released in 2011. This 40nm 3G chip, with 21 Mbps download speeds, is obsolete, but recent patches aim to add it.
Technical details of XMM6260 support 🛠️
The patches published on kernel development lists integrate drivers for the XMM6260, a modem that used 40nm technology and offered download speeds of 21 Mbps. This inclusion requires adapting the protocol stack and interrupt handling in the USB subsystem, since the chip connects via this bus. Although its performance is low by current standards, the code aims to maintain compatibility with old hardware and test legacy data paths.
15 years later, the vintage rescue comes to Linux 🕰️
Seeing a 2011 modem receiving support in the 2026 kernel is like finding a Walkman in a record store: it has its charm, but few will use it. While Apple keeps its modem advances under lock and key, the Linux community dedicates itself to bringing life to chips that even low-end phones had forgotten. At least, if you have an XMM6260 stored in a drawer, you can say your kernel recognizes it.