Analysts assume that Qualcomm will remain Apple's modem supplier for a few more years. An iPhone with Apple's own modem will therefore be a while off.
Chip manufacturer Qualcomm is thanks to a agreement in a patent dispute in 2019, Apple remained the main supplier of modems. But the iPhone manufacturer is still working on its own version. However, it is suspected that it could be quite a while before Apple actually switches to its own modem. In a letter from analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong International Securities to investors, which MacRumors present, the Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 modem is expected to be used in the 2024 iPhone. The unannounced modem, which replaces the X70, will be manufactured by TSMC on a 4nm process to increase power efficiency. The iPhone 15, due out in 2023, is expected to use the X70, which could offer download speeds of up to 10 Gbps and lower power consumption.
Apple could introduce iPhone with in-house modem in 2025
The investor note is in line with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's assessment in July, who suggested that the iPhone 15 could continue to use Qualcomm modems. Apple's battle to manufacture a modem is a potentially lucrative opportunity for the company, including through cost savings and the ability to fine-tune a modem for specific uses through deeper integration with other components. It would also provide Apple with a way to do so without having to rely on third-party decisions that limit or force Apple to use components in certain ways. With the purchase Apple has already invested at least a billion dollars in the problem, thanks to Intel's modem division. But it remains to be seen how much more the company will have to spend to achieve its modem goal. According to current estimates, the first iPhone with Apple's first in-house modem could appear in 2025. Whether that will actually be the case remains to be seen, of course. (Photo by MP Art / Bigstockphoto)
