Apple has already begun work on 6G modems for iPhones

Apple has been working on developing an in-house 5G modem for a while. However, the project has faltered and has been delayed much, forcing the iPhone-maker to depend on Qualcomm for the 5G modem used in iPhones and iPads. But that ain’t stopping Apple from working on an in-house 6G modem.

In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman said that Apple has been working on a 6G modem for the last two years. However, 6G technology is not expected to be ready for deployment until at least 2030, so Apple has been working to develop, test, and optimise its in-house 6G technology.

Apple was reportedly said to have shelved its 5G modem project, but Gurman’s report suggests that the development is still ongoing. An earlier report said that sources close to Apple’s supply chain have revealed that the company is considering abandoning its modem development project.

The iPhone maker has been facing technical challenges and underestimated modem development complexity, leading to slow and overheating prototype chips. A former wireless director said expecting Apple to build the best modem chip was unrealistic. Bloomberg reports Apple’s hardware group struggles to resolve bugs due to being stretched thin across multiple projects.

Apple had initially planned to introduce its in-house modem by next year. However, sources familiar with the development have revealed that this target seems unrealistic now, and the release may be pushed back until at least the end of 2025 or early 2026, which coincides with the last year of Apple’s extended agreement with Qualcomm.

Apple is testing its new modem technology in Silicon Valley, but carrier trials are years away. The first device with the in-house modem may not arrive until a year or more after 2025. Even if Apple succeeds in implementing an in-house modem inside the iPhone SE by 2026, Qualcomm expects to supply some of Apple’s modem chips in 2026. Apple plans to introduce its in-house modem to the iPad and Apple Watch after launching it on the iPhone.

FacebookTwitterLinkedin

end of article

Apple has been working on developing an in-house 5G modem for a while. However, the project has faltered and has been delayed much, forcing the iPhone-maker to depend on Qualcomm for the 5G modem used in iPhones and iPads. But that ain’t stopping Apple from working on an in-house 6G modem.

In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman said that Apple has been working on a 6G modem for the last two years. However, 6G technology is not expected to be ready for deployment until at least 2030, so Apple has been working to develop, test, and optimise its in-house 6G technology.

Apple was reportedly said to have shelved its 5G modem project, but Gurman’s report suggests that the development is still ongoing. An earlier report said that sources close to Apple’s supply chain have revealed that the company is considering abandoning its modem development project.

The iPhone maker has been facing technical challenges and underestimated modem development complexity, leading to slow and overheating prototype chips. A former wireless director said expecting Apple to build the best modem chip was unrealistic. Bloomberg reports Apple’s hardware group struggles to resolve bugs due to being stretched thin across multiple projects.

Apple had initially planned to introduce its in-house modem by next year. However, sources familiar with the development have revealed that this target seems unrealistic now, and the release may be pushed back until at least the end of 2025 or early 2026, which coincides with the last year of Apple’s extended agreement with Qualcomm.

Apple is testing its new modem technology in Silicon Valley, but carrier trials are years away. The first device with the in-house modem may not arrive until a year or more after 2025. Even if Apple succeeds in implementing an in-house modem inside the iPhone SE by 2026, Qualcomm expects to supply some of Apple’s modem chips in 2026. Apple plans to introduce its in-house modem to the iPad and Apple Watch after launching it on the iPhone.

FacebookTwitterLinkedin

end of article