Kuo: iPhone SE 4 and Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Use Apple's Own 5G Chip - MacRumors
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Kuo: iPhone SE 4 and Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Use Apple's Own 5G Chip

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Apple is rumored to have been working on its own 5G modem for iPhones since 2018, but the project has reportedly faced numerous challenges and delays. At last, however, the project may be finally getting closer to completion.

5G Modem Feature Blue
In a short article posted on social media platform X today, well-known Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said two iPhone models with an Apple-designed 5G modem will be released in 2025, including a fourth-generation iPhone SE in the first quarter of the year and an all-new, ultra-thin iPhone 17 model in the third quarter.

All existing iPhones that are currently sold by Apple are equipped with Qualcomm modems for cellular connectivity. Earlier this year, Apple extended its 5G modem supply agreement with Qualcomm for iPhone launches through 2026, so Apple's transition to its own in-house 5G chips will likely be gradual over multiple years.

Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in 2019, as part of its efforts to design its own 5G chip. It is unclear if Apple's chip would have any consumer benefits over Qualcomm's modems, but it would reduce Apple's reliance on Qualcomm. In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over alleged anticompetitive practices and $1 billion in unpaid royalty rebates. The two companies settled the lawsuit in 2019.

Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Tags: Apple 5G Modem Guide, Ming-Chi Kuo
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

1
1369281
22 months ago
Even more reason to not buy either of these phones. No one does modems better than Qualcomm.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
appleCakes Avatar
appleCakes
22 months ago
Great reason to buy iPhone 16.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Schtibbie
22 months ago
Would not want to have one of those first-gen modems.. I don't see how they could be as polished as the current Qualcomms in use as far as marginal-signal handling, carrier aggregation, etc...
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zdigital2015 Avatar
Zdigital2015
22 months ago
I’ll believe it when I see it on the Apple website and it’s in the keynote. I still think Apple is at least 2-3 more years away from ironing out all the kinks and bugs and producing a usable chipset, much less integrating one into the SoC, which is their ultimate endgame.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
P
Premium1
22 months ago
Always gotta let them work the kinks out because they are using intels engineers and we know how well their modems did. This isn't CPU's, so I will wait until version 2/3 before jumping in. Qualcomm>> everyone else in the modem game right now.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
O
otherorange
22 months ago

Apple doesn’t make Apple Silicone chips. Arm does, and Arm has always made great chips.

Intel has never made great cellular modems. Apple bought their business and are continuing development in house.

Doesn’t seem like the same situation.
ARM doesn't make chips, they license reference designs and technology. Apple designs their own chips using ARM technologies. They are manufactured by TSMC.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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