Reportedly, Apple's in-house 5G modem plans could be put on hold indefinitely

Reportedly, Apple’s in-house 5G modem plans could be put on hold indefinitely،

Apple’s current iPhone lineup, including the latest iPhone 15 series, relies on Qualcomm’s 5G modems, a partnership that is expected to continue through 2026 following a recent deal. However, previous rumors suggested that the iPhone SE 4 would be the pioneer in adopting Apple’s internally developed 5G modem chip to replace Qualcomm, but that might not happen after all if the latest rumor holds up.

According to a somewhat uncertain report, Apple may abandon its plans for an in-house 5G modem chip due to difficulties with the development process, as indicated by a leak. eyes1122 (via Apple Insider). The report, translated, mentions that Apple is “reorganization” its development efforts.

Tech_Reve, another leaker, echoed this sentiment on Twitter/X, quoting “Several sources” However, the lack of precision regarding these sources raises questions about the credibility of the information. Tech_Reve suggests that the internal modem may not be integrated into the next iPhone SE4 or any later model, anticipating complete abandonment.

Latest news: Apple has reportedly stopped the development of its modem internally.

According to multiple sources, Apple is currently streamlining its investments in its 5G modem development division and workforce over the past few years.

This suggests that attempts… pic.twitter.com/VrGkFhKfqQ

– Revegnus (@Tech_Reve) November 29, 2023

Apple’s journey in developing its 5G modem chip has been fraught with challenges. Shortly after the Qualcomm deal, reports surfaced about challenges Apple faced, such as the size of the initial internal 5G modem, which reportedly took up half of the iPhone’s internal space. Additionally, concerns have been raised about its speed and tendency to overheat.

More than five years ago, Apple announced plans to develop its own modem by recruiting engineers in Qualcomm’s hometown of San Diego. The move coincided with a legal dispute over modem royalties between Apple and Qualcomm.

So, if this latest report turns out to be true, it would be a surprising turn of events considering the time and resources Apple has invested in this project, including the billion-dollar acquisition from Intel.