Apple is set to introduce its own custom-designed cellular modem chips in 2025, marking a significant step towards reducing reliance on third-party suppliers like Qualcomm. This long-awaited development – more than half a decade in the works – will initially be featured in the fourth generation iPhone SE, scheduled for an update next year.
Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
When the iPhone SE debuts in a few months, it will have major new features, including Apple Intelligence and the edge-to-edge screen design already used in more upscale models. But its most impressive breakthrough won’t be visible to consumers: the in-house modem, code-named Sinope.
For now, the modem won’t be used in Apple’s higher-end products. It’s set to come to a new mid-tier iPhone later next year, code-named D23, that features a far-thinner design than current models. The chip will also start rolling out as early as 2025 in Apple’s lower-end iPads…
The modem will work with another new Apple component: a radio frequency front-end system, or RFFE, called Carpo that helps devices connect to cellular networks.
That part will also take away business from Qualcomm, and could eventually affect Qorvo as well. Today, Apple uses Skyworks Solutions Inc. and Broadcom Inc. for so-called RF filters — relationships that will continue. Apple and Broadcom extended their supply agreement in 2023.
MacDailyNews Take: Good news for Skyworks and Broadcom. Slow-rolling bad news for the Qualcomm extortionist!
“I’ve always wanted to own and control the primary technology in everything we do.” – Steve Jobs
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Intuition: AAPL’s relationship with and fairly recently “bolstered” partnership with GlobalStar, plays into this? GSAT has risen >50% in the last few months, soon after the APPL relationship was augmented. Qualcomm is vying for the same sector (“cell” coverage via satellite), so this news adds to the “intuition. Transparency; I hold some GSAT.
This is a game-changer for Apple! Developing their own modem will not only reduce dependency on Qualcomm but could also lead to better integration and performance in their devices. I’m excited to see how this impacts the iPhone SE 4, ‘iPhone Air,’ and iPad. It’s a bold move that could really shake up the market! Looking forward to the official launch!
Thanks