Apple has reportedly dropped Qualcomm modems on two 2025 iPhones
After reportedly committing to using 5G iPhone modems from Qualcomm until 2027, Apple is now said to be ready to deliver its own alternative two years early.
A Qualcomm 5G modem
Apple's desire to use its own 5G modems instead of Qualcomm's has been behind many years of work. Until now, it has been believed that March 2027 is when the switch will finally happen, but now a report claims it will at least begin much sooner.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will introduce its own 5G modems with one high-end and one low-end iPhone during 2025.
-- (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo)
The two models include the forthcoming iPhone SE, which Kuo says will be in the first quarter of 2025. The other is a slimmer iPhone 18 Pro model around September 2025.
That slimmer model is believed to be a new high-end flagship iPhone, priced above the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
If Kuo is correct, then it's unusual that Apple would introduce something new to the very top of the range and also the very bottom. It points to this new Apple 5G modem being functionally the same as the Qualcomm one, rather than offering some particular enhanced feature.
That said, if this is to be just a swap of manufacturers, it's now unusual that Apple would do it to two of the four models, instead of all of them. In this case, it's presumably a combination of contractual obligation, and potentially that there is an issue over ramping up sufficient production to fulfill the needs of all four iPhones.
Apple began working on its 5G modem in 2019, when it bought Intel's modem patents for $1 billion. Since then, it has seemingly struggled to develop the technology.
Rumor Score: Possible
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Comments
iPhone 16 models in 2024
iPhone 17 models in 2025.
iPhone 18 models in 2026.
Makes it sound like he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Still a long ways to go for this rumor. They could get a better deal from Qualcomm and the status quo remains.
He became CEO in 2011. The first mobile 5G modem launched in 2019 following 10 years of development.
Strategic goals sit firmly at his door. He goofed on Qualcomm and 5G. He got into a worldwide patent spat with a possible 5G supplier (Qualcomm, one of very few) and had no real alternative to already poor performing Intel modems.
When 5G hit mobile, Intel failed to deliver (was that a surprise seeing how their 4G modems performed?) and Apple was caught with its pants down.
Suddenly it was kiss-and-make-up with Qualcomm (basically on the steps of the court with battle about to commence), signing a deal for them to supply Apple with (back then) an older bolted-on modem (a true Yikes! moment) and Apple bought Intel's failing 5G modem division.
They've been rushing (and seemingly failing) to deliver ever since. They then signed the longer term deal with Qualcomm mentioned in the article.
Strategically, an in-house 5G modem was only considered very late in the day and as a result of earlier failed strategic decisions. They basically had to 'lick the toad' and get on with it. We can conclude that, strategically speaking, there was never an in-house 5G modem on the road map.
In terms of forward thinking I can confirm that Apple is currently working in a group in Europe including Huawei on network sensing technologies but that is for 6G.
by the way. apple seems to have changed my keyboard snd theres no auto correction, capitalization, or anything. not being used to that on my ipads ive not corrected a number of things. hopefully ill be able to get the normsl one back. i havent been able to in settings so far. its amazing how you get used to those things.
ok, after nothing worked. I turned the iPad completely off and back on, and back to normal. That was weird. But then, I’m on the 18 beta. That was the first glitch so far. I suppose I should report it.
On what planet is Apple—king of the upsell and margins so fluffy and plush it'd make a down jacket blush—going to pass along even a nickel of cost savings? Are you completely out of your mind?
If Apple is shipping its own modem, I think they could do virtually anything they want. A discrete chip. An on-die block in the SoC. A chip in the package. Who knows. Probably guaranteed that they will be sued by 5G patent holders. The patent licensing will be the biggest expense that the upgrade option has to cover.
I do really like the idea of every device having cellular with GB of data that you could buy whenever you want. Like, I could bring my Apple TV on trip and just buy data for it instead of relying on hotel, AirBnB WiFi. If it was just a builtin hardware feature, I think it would be a very nice benefit for users. Apple could also provide the data service itself as well.
It took 13 years for Apple to replace Intel, a six-eight year project or even another 13 year project is nothing particularly for the long range possibilities, again if true Apple is one step closer to having Apple Vision fit on to a pair of glasses. That can only happen if Qualcomm is out of the picture.....
Shortsighted, It took 13 years for Apple to replace Intel with Apple Silicon see the shambolic Intel today? Apple is well rid of them.
Qualcomm is right up there with Intel and Microsoft at their peak. But their hookup with Microsoft has been a fumble so far right up there with other recent Microsoft ventures Recall, and their third party IT friend Cloudstrike. Microsoft isn't ahead of Apple user inertia is the only thing saving them.
Apple had to design aroudn all the 5G patents. That's what made it take so long.
Makes more sense to jump into 6G and lead the way.
Apple is ore likely to charge a premium - see Apple Silicon transition.