Today, iPhones use 5G modems designed by the Qualcomm company to connect to mobile networks. In 2019, the Cupertino company ended the conflict with this supplier to be able to use its 5G chips. The agreement was then renewed in 2023, allowing Apple to continue sourcing Qualcomm 5G chips until 2026. But at the same time, Apple is also developing its own 5G modems.
Apple has made significant investments to no longer depend on Qualcomm. And it even bought a branch of Intel specializing in smartphone modems, for $1 billion, in 2019. Apple engineers had a lot of trouble developing a 5G modem. But according to a recent Bloomberg article, the company has finally managed to overcome these difficulties and is now ready to equip certain products with modems designed in-house instead of those from Qualcomm.
Indeed, from next year, Apple would equip the new iPhone SE with Apple modems. And this component would also equip the future iPhone 17 Air. Indeed, in addition to the fact that its modem allows it to be less dependent on Qualcomm, the component would also take up less space. And as a result, it would help make the iPhone 17 Air thinner than other iPhones. But that’s not all, since according to the Bloomberg article, Apple is now considering using its modem to connect other products to 5G. And among these products would be MacBooks, as well as future mixed reality products.
The 5G MacBook would be considered, but not immediately
MacBooks would be even more practical with a 5G modem, since they could connect to the internet without WiFi. However, it is likely that we will still have to wait before seeing this product arrive. Bloomberg explains that, if the 5G MacBook would be considered by Apple, it would certainly not arrive before 2026. In fact, Apple would wait to have an improved version of its 5G modem, before offering it on MacBooks.
Compared to modems supplied by Qualcomm, those from Apple could be less efficient. For example, it is rumored that the first version would not have support for mmWave technology, which allows for better connection speeds. This is the reason why the firm has decided to use its own 5G modem on the iPhone SE 2025, initially. Otherwise, on the iPhone 17 Air, this component would be of interest since it would help to make this model thinner.
- Currently, iPhones use 5G modems designed by Qualcomm
- Apple had to bury the hatchet with Qualcomm in order to be able to use 5G modems from this supplier
- But at the same time, Apple is developing its own modems
- And according to an article from Bloomberg, the Cupertino firm intends to equip the iPhone SE 2025 and the iPhone 17 Air with its 5G modem
- This would also consider bringing 5G to MacBooks and mixed reality products
- However, the 5G MacBook would not arrive before 2026, because Apple would wait to have an improved version of its 5G modem before offering it on MacBooks
