Apple has been working on its own 5G modem for years, aiming to move away from Qualcomm’s chips.
The project hit several roadblocks, with early prototypes facing issues like slow speeds and overheating.
However, reports suggest that Apple is finally ready to launch devices with its own modem in 2025. The first device to feature it is expected to be the iPhone SE 4, followed by an iPhone 17 model, likely the Air variant, later in the year.
While Apple’s modem will offer benefits like better battery efficiency, it’s not yet on par with Qualcomm’s in terms of performance, especially with mmWave support.
The new modem is also expected to power devices like the Apple Watch, where energy efficiency is more important than performance.
Despite cost savings, it’s unclear if customers will see a price drop due to Apple’s in-house technology.
