Qualcomm announced today that Apple will continue to use Qualcomm 5G modems for iPhones until at least 2026, which is two years longer. than the company has now previously told investors.
The statement confirmed that the original release schedule for Apple's 5G modem was pushed back from its original 2024 release window due to internal delays in Apple's modem chip development. .
Qualcomm says it now plans to supply only about 20% of the modems needed for Apple's smartphone launch in 2026, indicating that we may to see the first Apple-designed modem arrive with the iPhone 17 or 18.
This roughly confirms what analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said last week about what he expects Apple to use its own modem chip starting in 2025.
It's possible that this timeline will be changed again, and some analysts believe that Apple will first use its own modem design in another product, such as the iPad, before than to rely on it for your purposes. flagship iPhone line. This could mean we'll see Apple's modem launch in a product sooner than 2025/2026.
An Apple-designed 5G chip could lead to a more power-efficient design as it would allow Apple to integrate the modem directly onto the SoC. It will also boost Apple's profits over time by reducing the licensing fees it pays to Qualcomm for each iPhone unit sold.
However, at least for the next few generations, Apple’ The company's dependence on Qualcomm will continue. This includes the iPhone 15 lineup, which Apple is set to announce at Wanderlust” Media event tomorrow.
