Update May 10, 2021 : Last March, analysts from Barclays said all 2023 iPhones will get their own 5G modem from Apple. Now Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo joins in. According to him, the earliest 2023 iPhones will receive the first 5G modem made by Apple itself. Apple is therefore no longer dependent on Qualcomm, which now provides the modem for iPhones. Apple has had a 5G modem from Qualcomm since the iPhone 12, but as it looks now, the iPhone 15 is the first model with an Apple 5G modem.
Because 2023 and the iPhone 15 are still a long way away, many things can change in the meantime. For years there has been talk of Apple-developed 5G modems for the iPhone. We have been writing about this since 2019 and in recent years we have seen various years pass in review. But it now seems that we will have to wait at least two more years. What is certain is that the development of Apple's own modem means the replacement of Qualcomm.
Original article March 11, 2021
Analysts Blayne Curtis and Thomas O'Malley have written a research note outlining their prospects. Apple wants to move away from the Qualcomm modems used in current iPhones. Chipmakers Broadcom and Qorvo will benefit from the switch, Barclays thinks. Earlier it appeared that Apple is busy with its own 5G modems for future iPhones. Earlier this week, Apple itself confirmed that 5G is being worked on, namely in the newly opened European Silicon Design Center in Munich. Apple is said to have started development in 2020, after acquiring the smartphone modem branch from Intel.
Apple 5G modem in 2023 iPhones
Barclays previously reported that the modem will support both sub-6GHz and mmWave, the two main technologies for 5G networks. The fact that there are now Qualcomm modems in the iPhone is the result of a legal battle that ended in 2019. Apple and Qualcomm then agreed that Apple will use the Snapdrago 5G modems in the coming years.
In the iPhone 12 models you'll find the Snapdragon X55 modem, while iPhones with Snapdragon X60 modems are expected later this year. The Snapdragon X65 modems will follow in 2022. Apple could possibly switch to the Snapdragon X70 the following year, but that would make less sense if its own 5G modem is ready. Manufacturing will likely be done by Apple's long-time partner TSMC.
Review History:
- 2021 – May 10, 8:54 AM: Article updated following statement by well-known Apple analyst.