Apple will have little choice but to continue using Qualcomm’s 5G modems for the iPhone 15 series, but according to CEO Cristiano Amon, things will start to take a turn in 2024. Apparently, Apple is introducing its custom 5G modem earlier than expected, and its debut might happen as early as next year.
Apple was previously reported to have encountered a roadblock with its custom 5G modem development, but the company now appears to be on track
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal’s Carolina Milanesi, Chief Executive of Qualcomm, stated during an MWC 2023 conference about Apple’s plans to bring its own 5G modem in 2024. He also says that if the company requires its chips, it can reach out to Qualcomm, which might be a hint that Apple will be dependent on the San Diego firm in one way or form. In an earlier report, Apple failed in its custom 5G modem development, forcing it to pursue Qualcomm as an exclusive supplier of baseband chips for the upcoming iPhone 15 family.
Development work apparently commenced in 2020, but we have been met with launch timelines that are all over the place right now. Qualcomm’s CEO might be right in his prediction, but industry analysts have argued that developing your own 5G modem is not the same as churning out an A-series or M-series SoC annually. However, Apple launching its custom solution does not mean that it will completely abandon Qualcomm. The iPhone maker will likely order shipments in limited quantities and initiate a small run to see how it performs.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon talking to Carolina Milanesi about Apple switching to its own 5G modems in 2024
If everything goes according to Apple’s expectations, then it will slowly increase the shipments of its custom 5G modems, requiring less and less of Qualcomm’s supply in the process. We still believe that it will take several years before Apple is completely free of this partnership, and even if it is, the company is not stopping here.
Apple reportedly has plans to integrate the 5G modem, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, in a single package to conserve space. Though this is a plan that will likely happen in the distant future, it provides a glimpse of the company’s mindset where it does not have to rely on companies like Qualcomm and Broadcom and, instead, has its own solutions ready for a wide range of products. Sadly, that reality is years away, and we will still see the iPhone 15 series pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 5G modem.
The post iPhone 15 To Be The Last Series To Exclusively Feature Qualcomm’s 5G Modems As Apple’s Custom Chip Arriving In 2024 by Omar Sohail appeared first on Wccftech.
