Apple to Continue Using Qualcomm Modem Chips in iPhones
Sep 11, 2023, 7:27 AM by Rich Brome @rbrome.bsky.social
Apple has extended its contract with Qualcomm to supply 5G modem chips for iPhones through 2026. Apple has been attempting to develop its own 5G modem chips, and purchased Intel's phone chip business in 2019 for $1 billion to further that effort. While rumors suggested Apple planned to debut its own 5G chips this year or next, the new deal with Qualcomm suggests that project is delayed. Apple could still debut its own 5G chip before 2026, but may phase in the change over time, across different iPhone models and/or different markets. Apple used modems from different suppliers in the iPhone 7 series, with the Qualcomm modems offering superior performance.
Comments
M Chips
With that I'd like to see at least Apple move away from the A-series chips and into the M-Silicon, even if it's limited in some aspects of performance to save battery life.
By 2026 I hope the 5G chips are integrated into M series.