Apple has been working on its cellular modems for years, investing billions into an effort to break its dependence on Qualcomm. Still, it has been a pretty ambitious and difficult project because of the process complexity of substituting Qualcomm's intricate modem components. The plan for releasing its in-house 5G chips, targeted for 2024, got pushed again to 2025. Even that timeline is uncertain. The latest reports continue to push the timeline for when the company's proprietary modem may be ready into the end of 2025 or early 2026, coinciding with the end of its recently extended contract with Qualcomm.
According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s plan for introducing its own 5G chips is a phased approach, starting with two specific iPhone models in 2025:
iPhone SE 4, set for a Q1 2025 release
iPhone 17 Slim, expected to launch in Q3 2025
This means that while the iPhone SE 4 and the ultra-slim iPhone 17 will sport Apple's new 5G modems, other models in the 2025 lineup, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, will still rely on Qualcomm’s modems.
The good thing with the phased adoption strategy is that it lets Apple take some risk off the table and iron out performance issues in a controlled setting before potentially rolling out the new technology across its entire iPhone lineup in subsequent years. In fact, this is cautious, but it also reflects the complexity and high stakes of developing a high-performance modem capable of competing against Qualcomm's tried-and-tested technology.
Apple's efforts to make its own 5G modems have encountered several hiccups. Delays pushed back the target of having its chips ready by 2024. Now, sources say it will probably not meet its current target of spring 2025 and could be pushed into late 2025 or even early 2026. That would time well with the end of the new extension of Apple's deal with Qualcomm, which goes through 2026.
The chief executive of Qualcomm, Cristiano Amon, looked very pleased with this renewed partnership, indicating that Qualcomm would remain a fundamental supplier for Apple in the short run. This new deal will give Apple some cushion while it spends more time perfecting its technology with a steady supply of modems for its iPhones.
The first deployment of Apple's 5G in-house modems will be pretty limited, with only the iPhone SE 4 and iPhone 17 Slim expected to hit stores next year. Remaining models, including flagships like the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, are still going to be carrying Qualcomm's modems-which would result in one of those curious scenarios whereby the lower-cost SE model could briefly boast more advanced connectivity technology than its high-end counterpart.
Looking ahead to the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup this fall, naturally, Apple will remain with Qualcomm's modems, including the Snapdragon X70 and possibly even newer X75 in the Pros. That would be consistent with predictions from analyst Jeff Pu, who has suggested only some iPhone 2025 models would get Apple's modem to start, with broader adoption ramping up in 2026 and beyond.
Of course, the long game for Apple is to have full control over its hardware ecosystem, minimizing reliance on third-party suppliers like Qualcomm. With custom modems, the experience can be further integrated on iPhones to work even better out of the box in terms of battery life and performance, and closer with its other custom-designed components, including the A-series processors.
While the journey has perhaps taken a little longer and been more complicated than Apple may have wished, it finally took a big step into autonomy and new innovation with the integration of in-house 5G modems. Industry eyes will be fixed on Apple as it perfects the technology and awaits how 5G chips will go into the market and what this shift will actually mean for iPhones' futures.
In the meantime, the phased approach reflects Apple’s careful strategy of balancing innovation with reliability, ensuring that when its 5G modems do finally debut, they live up to the high standards expected of the world’s most valuable tech company.
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