Apple 5G Modem Archives - Gizmochina

Apple renews 5G modem deal with Qualcomm

Sean — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 09:23:28 +0000

Apple has apparently extended its agreement with Qualcomm for modems. The renewed deal will have the latter continue to supply the former for another three years. This news is in contrast to our previous report that the brand will be shifting to its own 5G modems soon.

Apple 5G Modem Delayed

For those unaware, known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had previously revealed that the Cupertino based giant is planning on shifting to its self developed 5G modems by 2025. However, the latest report from Bloomberg reveals that the proprietary modem isn’t ready for iPhones yet. Apple had acquired Intel’s modem unit in the past and has been working on its own 5G modem to move away from Qualcomm’s hardware.

The analyst added that the iPhone SE 4th Gen will be the first to feature the new modem, with its launch expected in the first quarter of 2025. But now, it seems like Apple will still be with Qualcomm till 2026 and rely on its modem. Since the iPhone 12, Qualcomm has been the sole supplier of Apple’s 5G modems. Apple is currently the chipmaking giant’s largest client, accounting for 22.3 percent of the orders.

In recent years, the iPhone maker has been working on becoming more self reliant. It is developing technology and components, which would have it reduce its dependency on third-party suppliers. At the moment, Qualcomm basically holds a monopoly for 5G modems, offering the most advanced modems for mobile devices. Top smartphone brands like Samsung also employ its modems for wireless networking.

RELATED:

The post Apple renews 5G modem deal with Qualcomm appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple iPhones will feature self-developed 5G modems in 2025: Kuo

Sean — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:59:21 +0000

We already know that Apple is working on developing its own 5G modem for its products. Now, a new report from renowned analysts hints that this proprietary networking modem could be making its way to the iPhone in 2025.

Apple 5G Modem might Debut in the iPhone SE 4 model

The news arrives from known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who believes that the Cupertino based giant is looking to reduce its dependency on other companies for modems. For those unaware, the iPhone maker had acquired Intel’s modem unit back in 2019 and currently relies on Qualcomm for 5G modems. But according to the analyst, Apple is nearing the launch of its self developed modems.

Kuo stated that the company is planning on shifting to its own modems by 2025. As of right now, the iPhone 14 series features Qualcomm’s X65 modem for 5G connectivity in iPhones. The new in-house 5G modems will be featured on iPhones and other cellular enabled devices. Ming-Chi Kuo previously stated that the iPhone SE 4th generation will be the first iPhone to feature this 5G modem.

However, due to supply chain issues, the company faced mass production challenges for the 5G modem. So now, it looks like the launch of Apple’s 5G networking tech might get delayed until 2025. Apple has been looking to become more independent in recent years, which is also reflected in its M series of processors for its PCs.

RELATED:

(Source)

The post Apple iPhones will feature self-developed 5G modems in 2025: Kuo appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple iPhone 15 series to reportedly pack company’s self-developed 5G modem chips

Jeet — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 06:20:07 +0000

Apple has been using its own A-series chips for the iPhones and iPads and recently the company also started making its own ARM-based Apple Silicon chips for powering Mac devices. Now, the Cupertino-based tech giant is gearing up to make its own 5G chips.

If the latest report is to be believed, then Apple is planning to replace Qualcomm’s 5G modem chips in the next year’s iPhone 15 series models with its own self-developed 5G modem chips. It is also being said that the company is already in talks with the suppliers who will help in making the chips.

A report coming from DigiTimes claims that Apple has started talks with two key suppliers — Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) and Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL) about having them package its first 5G modem chips.

But the move isn’t a sudden one. In fact, the technology giant has been working behind the scenes for a few years now to make its own cellular chips that would replace the ones sourced from Qualcomm and Intel in its iPhone models.

Apart from better integration and having control over the features, another major advantage for Apple to ditch Qualcomm and Intel in favor of its own 5G modem chips is that the company won’t have to pay royalties when using its own chips.

Apple has a good track record when it comes to designing chips — ranging from its A-series SoC for the iPhone and iPad models to the M-series chips for the Mac-powered devices. But it remains to be seen how the company’s cellular chips turn out to be given that it has added complexity of radio communication.

Apple plans to build its custom iPhone 5G modem via TSMC in 2023

Sean — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 07:26:23 +0000

Apple is apparently seeking to deepen its relation with its chip supplier TSMC. The company might be planning to have its custom iPhone 5G modem built by the world’s largest contract chipmaker in 2023.

According to a NikkeiAsia report, sources close to the matter have revealed that the Cupertino based giant plans on building its first in house modem through TSMC’s 4nm process. Furthermore, the brand is developing its own radio frequency and millimeter wave components as well to go alongside the modem. Similarly, the sources added that Apple is even working on its own power management chip, which will be for the modem.

For those unaware, all of the 5G enabled iPhones that are currently available in the market feature modems supplied by Qualcomm. In other words, this move from Apple would end the monopoly that the American chipmaker held in supplying 5G modems. As per our previous report, Qualcomm is expected to ship just 20 percent of iPhone modems in 2023, since Apple would launch its in house 5G modem the same year.

This would allow the iPhone maker to not just save costs on fees that it pays Qualcomm, but also enable it to have even more control over its hardware integration capability to boost efficiency. Additionally, the self designed modem from Apple could also help in integrating it to its custom iPhone SoCs that are also supplied by TSMC. Back in 2019, the brand had also acquired Intel’s modem business to boost the development of its proprietary modems.

Qualcomm expects to supply only 20% of 2023 iPhone modems as Apple gears up to launch its own chips

Sean — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 08:52:40 +0000

Earlier today (17th November 2021), Qualcomm had announced its plans to compete with the Apple Silicon’s M series chips with its own next gen processors for PCs during the 2021 Investor Day event. Now, a company official has revealed future projections for its modem business as it prepares for Apple’s own modem chips.

Apple’s shift towards its own modems would cut into the chipmaker’s modem business starting in 2023. According to Qualcomm CFO Akash Palkhiwala, the company is expecting to supply just 20 percent of Apple’s modem chips in 2023. In other words, 2023 would be the last year that the brand enjoys a monopoly in supplying modems to iPhones. For those unaware, the Cupertino based giant has been working on developing its own modem chips for years now. Recent reports have suggested that its in house modems would ship with 2023 iPhones, which is also in line with the chipmaker’s expectations.

Qualcomm stated that this is still just a “planning assumption for forecast purposes,” although, it appears that it is expecting a 2023 launch. Notably, this news also arrives as the chipmaker is seeking to compete with Apple’s M series chips with its own ARM based PC processors. These chips will be designed by Nuvia and will “set the performance benchmark for Windows PCs.”

On the other hand, the shift from Apple to its in house modems also follows a long legal battle with Qualcomm that eventually got settled back in 2019. After this, both firms entered into a multi year partnership since Apple had to source modem chips for its iPhones. But the company started to also working on its own in house modems to become independent in the future.

Apple may launch iPhones with in house 5G Modems by 2023: Kuo

Sean — Tue, 11 May 2021 07:22:39 +0000

Apple is apparently planning on adopting its own custom designed 5G modems for its iPhones. These in house 5G baseband chips might be seen in iPhones as early as 2023, as per a known analyst.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo (Via MacRumors), the Cupertino based giant is seeking to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm for the suppy of 5G based cellular modems for its future iPhone lineup. The analyst made the announcement in an investors note earlier this month. As per the note, the company is aiming on adopting its own custom designed 5G baseband chips that will debut with the launch of the 2023 iPhones “at the earliest.”

Till then, Apple would need to reply on QUalcomm for its 5G iPhone modems and will continue to depend on the chip maker till its shifts to its own solutions. After the iPhone maker makes the shift, Qualcomm would have to enter new markets to overcome the loss of orders from Apple. Back in March 2021, a Barclays report had stated that the company will launch its 2023 iPhones its own custom designed 5G modems. In other words, this report is also in line with previous rumors.

The new in house developed 5G modems could offer faster speeds, lowered latency, and other improvements over Intel or even Qualcomm modems, although it is still too early to offer any concrete statements. Furthermore, the company has reportedly been working on its self developed modems since early 2020. So stay tuned for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.

Apple to use its own 5G ‘iPhone 13’ modem in its 2021 iPad Pro: Report

Sean — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 08:01:01 +0000

Sources from with the Apple supply chain have revealed that the company is planning on making its own mmWave 5G modem for its next iPhone series, which might even be ready to be used on the 2021 iPad Pro.

For those unaware, Apple is rumored to launch new OLED iPad Pro models in the second half of next year. Furthermore, the new iPads are also expected to feature support for 5G networking, and a new report suggests that the Cupertino based giant will be using its own 5G modem for the new iPad Pro. A 5G iPad Pro has been rumored for a while now but the Coronavirus pandemic had reportedly push the launch date back by a year. And now, new reports suggests that the 2021 iPad Pros will feature 5G modem, which has been developed in house.

Notably, the supply chain is also expecting to see an increase in demand for 5G mmWave Antenna in Package (AiP) modules, after the launch of the iPhone 12 series, as per an AppleInsider report. Apple is even planning on developing its own 5G mmWave AiP. Rumors had also pointed at the company replacing the Qualcomm 5G modems for its own for the iPhone 13 series. Although, Apple might be extending its development to also include its own 5G modem in the 2021 iPad Pro. However, this goes against a previous report from ours that stated that the company would continue to use Qualcomm’s 5G modem till 2024.

Apple iPad Pro 2020

The company could be working on its own RF-FEM (RF front end module) as part of that process. Unfortunately, this is still an unconfirmed report and we don’t have any official confirmation apart from sources from within the supply chain. While the reports might have arrived from known sources, it is still too early to rely on such reports as concrete evidences. So stay tuned for more updates.

The post Apple to use its own 5G ‘iPhone 13’ modem in its 2021 iPad Pro: Report appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple will continue to use Qualcomm 5G modems at least until 2024 as per an old document

Balaji S — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 16:25:38 +0000

Yesterday(October 22), a teardown of Apple iPhone 12 revealed Qualcomm’s 5G modem inside. Now, a document of Apple reveals that it will continue to use Qualcomm’s 5G modems at least until 2024.

First reported by Macrumors(via GSMArena), page 71 of the document that was pointed out on Twitter, shows the details of the Apple-Qualcomm settlement from 2019. Apple’s statement reportedly begins with the intent to launch some commercial products with Qualcomm X55 5G modems between June 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021. If we recall, a recent teardown of the Apple iPhone 12 revealed that Qualcomm X55 5G modem on it.

By now, Apple has already kickstarted the agreement. Also, since it has mentioned the end date till May of 2021, we might see them on iPad Pros if Apple decides to launch one with 5G connectivity.

Apple’s commitment will continue at least until 2024

As per the agreement, Apple intends to use Qualcomm X60 5G modem in some models between June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022. If we were to guess, it could be on the next iPhones, and subsequently on other products. Additionally, Apple is also committed to use the upcoming modems of Qualcomm. The agreement mentions unannounced modems like X65 and X70. If we take the X60 5G modem, it is built on an improved 5nm process instead of 7nm on the predecessor, i.e., X55.

Hence, the upcoming modems should have improved battery efficiency, cover more bandwidth, etc. Besides, not only did the statement spill beans about the new modem, but it might have confirmed the naming as well. That said, Apple will use the X65 and X70 modems from June 1, 2022, to May 31, 2024. Although it’s a long way up from now, the statement does strongly hint that Apple’s future products will carry Qualcomm chipsets and transition to 5G.

For the unware, Apple and Qualcomm entered into a legal battle over royalty payment dues last year. However, before the case filing could gain steam, they settled over an agreement and withdrew the plea. As per the settlement, Apple paid a certain amount and signed an agreement with Qualcomm to procure its 5G chips.

The post Apple will continue to use Qualcomm 5G modems at least until 2024 as per an old document appeared first on Gizmochina.