Apple is working on the development of own 5G modem for upcoming iPhone and other Apple devices. Apple said that company is working towards manufacturing of 5G modem in-house. Recently Apple purchased Intel 5G modem business and started to work on the development of new 5G modem for their upcoming devices. Over the last few years Apple is reducing its dependency on third party components. Apple is trying to develop components in-house and now working towards development of own 5G modem for iPhone. Apple is already manufacturing in-house T2 security chip and A-series processors.
According to the sources Apple is planning to bring Apple devices with own 5G modem by 2022. As of now Apple is using modem developed by Qualcomm in their devices. Apple recently purchased Intel’s 5G modem business but a lot of work still remains. The development of system, testing and various certifications for 5G modems is lot of work. As per the industry experts this requires a lot of effort and Apple will have to work hard to bring own 5G modem by 2022.
Currently Apple is partnered with Qualcomm to provide modem for their devices. Qualcomm is expected to provide 5G modem to iPhone by next year. As per the reports it will take a lot of time for Apple to come up with own 5G modem and its difficult to come up with modem by 2022. The year 2023 would be the realistic time for development of 5G modem by Apple. It is to be noted that the company is working first time on the 5G modem project.
Intel sold out 5G modem business including human resources, equipment and patents to Apple at a cost of $1billion this year. With this acquisition Apple is at good position to develop own 5G modem but this work is huge work and will sufficient time for workable modem.
Currently Apple is using 4G modem developed by Intel in iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max models.
It is noted that Apple is expected to launch iPhone with 5G modem from Qualcomm in 2020. Earlier Apple stopped working with Qualcomm because of a dispute over licensing fees, but in April dispute was settled at an undisclosed amount.
Apple is looking towards take control of 5G technologies fast and to achieve this company is working fast to develop own 5G modem.