Apple’s home modem is closer than ever. While it was expected for last year, the component responsible for cellular connections remains for the moment signed Qualcomm in all iPhones and iPads sold by the American firm. After multiple twists and turns, it seems that the project has reached maturity, ready to release a first version next year, with the iPhone 17.
A strategic team at Apple
Apple Inc.’s hardware technology group is one of its greatest strengths. The team created breakthrough processors for the iPhone and iPad, allowing Apple to eliminate Intel chips across its entire Mac lineup. It also pioneered features like Touch ID and Face ID. Apple’s chip designers are widely recognized as the best in the industry, helping set Apple products apart for their speed and power efficiency. Since developing the A4 chip for the original iPad, the technology has spread to every major Apple device. The team also helps customize supplier components, such as displays and batteries.
This customization work has led to improvements in many aspects of Apple devices, such as photography, advanced wireless syncing between devices, faster data transfers, and the integration of some of the best OLED displays on the market. In short, Apple’s custom silicon efforts are aimed at optimizing not only the individual performance of its devices, but also their ability to work together harmoniously, a central goal according to Johny Srouji, the head of this team.
An ambitious project
However, the current effort to develop a cellular modem in-house — a key component for the iPhone, Apple Watch, and other devices — won’t produce immediate results. For more than a decade, Apple has used modems designed by Qualcomm, the industry leader in the field. In 2018, Apple began developing its own modem, despite a legal battle with Qualcomm over royalties and patents. That project has faced numerous challenges, despite Intel’s acquisition of its mobile division in 2019, including performance and overheating issues, delaying the modem’s launch until next year at the earliest, according to Bloomberg’s Mark GurmanThe modem was even abandoned for a time, before work resumed just after Tim Cook extended the agreement with Qualcomm until 2027.
The Benefits of Apple Modem for Customers
Developing an internal modem is a complex challenge, much more than the company initially imagined, and the initial benefits for users may be limited. However, Apple hopes that in the long term, this modem will evolve into a more advanced component, capable of transforming the appearance and operation of the iPhone. This project will also allow Apple to claim internal production of key components, even if this does not immediately bring significant changes to the user experience.
In the long term, Apple plans to integrate this modem into a new wireless chip that combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which could improve the reliability and battery life of its devices. In addition, this strategy could reduce costs and optimize space inside its devices, opening the way to new design options. If Apple can save money by doing away with Qualcomm modems, those resources could be reinvested in developing new features for customers.
But all this will not happen in 2027, where it will simply be a matter of replacing Qualcomm, while perhaps gaining a little in autonomy. We must rather project ourselves two, three, or even four years for an innovative modem, allowing Apple’s phone to be refined even further. We are talking about the iPhone 18, the iPhone 19, or even the iPhone 20…