Apple Struggles to Design Own iPhone Modem Chip, Faces Delays

Apple has been trying to design its own modem chip since 2018 to replace Qualcomm's, but engineers say the project has failed so far.
The Apple-designed chip was found to be slower, prone to overheating, and too large for an iPhone.
Apple underestimated the complexity of designing a performant modem chip versus a CPU.
Modem chips must support many global wireless standards and variations which is very complex.
Apple executives without wireless chip experience set unrealistic timelines, delaying the project from 2023 to 2024 or later.

9to5mac.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/6/2023

Kuo: Apple-Designed 5G Modem for iPhones to Debut in 2025

Apple plans to use its own modem chip for iPhones starting in 2025, reducing its reliance on Qualcomm, but it's unclear if there will be any consumer benefits over Qualcomm modems.

9/11/2023

Apple Extends Deal With Qualcomm for iPhone 5G Modems Through 2026

Apple's iPhone sales in China surpassed the United States in the second quarter of 2023, becoming the largest market for iPhone shipments, while Qualcomm announced that it will continue to supply Apple with 5G modems through 2026.

9/11/2023

Qualcomm to Supply 5G iPhone Chips Through 2026, Boosting Stock Price

Qualcomm has announced that it will supply Apple with 5G chips for its iPhone launches over the next three years, leading to a jump in Qualcomm's stock price.

10/8/2023

Apple and Qualcomm Reach Modem Supply Agreement, Delaying Apple's Own Modem Until 2027

Qualcomm's agreement to continue selling modems to Apple puts a pause on the doom narrative surrounding Qualcomm's largest customer loss, and it suggests that Apple may not have its own modem until the 2027 iPhone at the earliest.

10/12/2023

iPhone 16 Pro Models to Get Speed Boost with New Qualcomm 5G Modem

Apple's iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature Qualcomm's latest cellular modem, the Snapdragon X75, providing faster and more power efficient 5G connectivity.

Topics

Posted 9/21/2023, 11:29:00 AM

Apple Struggles to Design Own iPhone Modem Chip, Faces Delays

Apple has been trying to design its own modem chip since 2018 to replace Qualcomm's, but engineers say the project has failed so far.
The Apple-designed chip was found to be slower, prone to overheating, and too large for an iPhone.
Apple underestimated the complexity of designing a performant modem chip versus a CPU.
Modem chips must support many global wireless standards and variations which is very complex.
Apple executives without wireless chip experience set unrealistic timelines, delaying the project from 2023 to 2024 or later.

9to5mac.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/6/2023

Kuo: Apple-Designed 5G Modem for iPhones to Debut in 2025

Apple plans to use its own modem chip for iPhones starting in 2025, reducing its reliance on Qualcomm, but it's unclear if there will be any consumer benefits over Qualcomm modems.

9/11/2023

Apple Extends Deal With Qualcomm for iPhone 5G Modems Through 2026

9/11/2023

Qualcomm to Supply 5G iPhone Chips Through 2026, Boosting Stock Price

Qualcomm has announced that it will supply Apple with 5G chips for its iPhone launches over the next three years, leading to a jump in Qualcomm's stock price.

10/8/2023

Apple and Qualcomm Reach Modem Supply Agreement, Delaying Apple's Own Modem Until 2027

10/12/2023

iPhone 16 Pro Models to Get Speed Boost with New Qualcomm 5G Modem

Apple's iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature Qualcomm's latest cellular modem, the Snapdragon X75, providing faster and more power efficient 5G connectivity.