Apple and Qualcomm Renew iPhone 5G Modem Partnership

[T0@st]

Industry experts were expecting Apple to rely on their own in-house 5G modem tech once a previous deal with a development partner expired, but the big A has returned to pastures of old—Qualcomm Technologies yesterday announced: "that it has entered into an agreement with Apple Inc. to supply Snapdragon 5G Modem‑RF Systems for smartphone launches in 2024, 2025 and 2026. This agreement reinforces Qualcomm's track record of sustained leadership across 5G technologies and products."

Reports suggest that multiple issues have plagued development of Apple's proprietary 5G modem, with 2024's iPhone 16 lineup already rumored to rely on Qualcomm's RF system. Apple has invested heavily in its custom modem operation—the "majority" of Intel's smartphone modem business was acquired back in 2019, while 2021 insider talk had TSMC lined up as a manufacturing partner for 5G chips. According to their latest investment relations material, Qualcomm anticipates that it will supply around 20% of modem chips in Apple iPhones.



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[bonehead123]

"meet the new boss, same as the old boss"

With all the things they have developed/improved/reverse engineered over the past 40+ years, Apple's engineers should have been able to figure this out a while ago....

Makes me wonder what the REAL issue is, other than it's "HARD", which IIRC, is exactly the stuff that engineers get paid to work on, yes ?

 

[AnotherReader]

Yes, it looks like Apple is unable to improve upon what Intel did with their radio division. Wireless is hard, but even UniSOC has their own 5G modem. UniSOC only had about $2 billion of revenue in 2022.

 

[big_glasses]

Where will the other 80% come from?

Qualcomm anticipates that it will supply around 20% of modem chips in Apple iPhones.