Kuo: Apple's 5G Modem to Rapidly Roll Out in iPhones Starting Next Year

Apple is rumored to have been working on its own 5G modem for iPhones since 2018, and it appears the chip will finally debut next year.

5G Modem Feature Blue
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today estimated that shipments of Apple's in-house 5G chip will reach 35-40 million units in 2025, and "grow rapidly" to 90-110 million units in 2026 and 160-180 million units in 2027.

Kuo previously said two iPhone models with an Apple-designed 5G modem will be released in 2025, including a fourth-generation iPhone SE in the first quarter of the year and an all-new, ultra-thin iPhone 17 model in the third quarter.

All existing iPhones that are currently sold by Apple are equipped with Qualcomm modems for cellular connectivity, but Kuo expects Apple to transition away from Qualcomm over time. Earlier this year, Apple extended its 5G modem supply agreement with Qualcomm for iPhone launches through 2026, so Apple still has plenty of time.

Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in 2019, as part of its efforts to design its own 5G chip. It is unclear if Apple's chip would have any consumer benefits over Qualcomm's modems, but it would reduce Apple's reliance on Qualcomm. In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over alleged anticompetitive practices and $1 billion in unpaid royalty rebates. The two companies settled the lawsuit in 2019.

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Top Rated Comments

antiprotest Avatar
25 weeks ago

What are the benefits? If it finally produces less heat or as much heat as 4G then I'll be extremely happy.

Also does the 5G modem include 4G,3G and 2G?
My guess is that this will only give Apple greater profit margins in the long run. The savings will not be passed to customers. Not saying it's right or wrong. It's just how business works. Apple is doing this for themselves, not for us. But I do hope there will be some efficiency improvements, less heat, better battery life. At this point I will assume no, though.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Iconoclysm Avatar
25 weeks ago

What are the benefits? If it finally produces less heat or as much heat as 4G then I'll be extremely happy.

Also does the 5G modem include 4G,3G and 2G?
Yes, it includes all of that. The benefit is that it can be integrated into the primary SoC, using less power and taking up less space...and not paying licensing fees to Qualcomm.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Iconoclysm Avatar
25 weeks ago

My guess is that this will only give Apple greater profit margins in the long run. The savings will not be passed onto customers. But I do hope there will be some efficiency improvements, less heat, better battery life. At this point I will assume no, though.
I think the savings will be passed on passively, by not needing to increase prices as much.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
25 weeks ago
If true, this is a game changer for apple.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EllZ89 Avatar
25 weeks ago
theyre playing it safe by not immediately releasing it their pro/flagship line
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
25 weeks ago

What are the benefits?
Cheaper for Apple.


Isn’t 6g pretty close though
The standard isn't even finished yet, and pilot programs won't begin testing before 2028.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)