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Apple's Second 5G Modem for iPhone 18 Pro and iPad Pro Expected to Support mmWave
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But that does require a certain level of “comfort” with the technology. Many users have a strong phobia with adjusting “settings”. I could see a strong desire for a modem in a laptop for many many executive and casual users.
It is a popular paid option on iPads and for the same reason it would probably be popular on MacBooks.
Agree.
I don’t get this sentiment about Apple essentially destroying iPhone’s reputation just to save money by switching to its own 5G modems.
Yes, it’s all profit driven, every single decision. But not in a careless manner.
If Apple can disrupt the computer market with Apple Silicon then I’m pretty sure it can deliver a 5G chip that’s at least on par with Qualcomm.
Come on, guys -If anyone has the money and expertise to pull this off then it’s Apple.
Also, drawing lines between the slow to roll out and lackluster Apple Intelligence and these upcoming 5G modems is bonkers.
-Those are two completely different things.
Can be.
Usually you stack to reduce latency. Not need to talk at high speeds to a cellular modem though...
A recent article talked about Apple moving the RAM outside of the stack to allow better heat dissipation among others.
I guess for the few people who have a data plan without tethering, it would make sense. But for everyone else, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense.
But hey, if there’s people who are willing to spend an extra $150 on a MacBook upfront and at least an extra $20/month just for the convenience of not having to click the “join hotspot button”, more power to them.
Yes for sure.
But Apple has demonstrated that they don't mind to ship an inferior product in numerous times recently.
Several insiders questioned Apple purchasing of the Intel modem division, a completely failed project.
So it's natural to people to be concerned about any changes in that sense.
Because there is little need to when you can just network with your phone for the rare times it is needed and save the cost of an additional monthly cell account for your Mac.
I don't think Apple will integrate their 5G modem into the A-series or M-series SoC. Now, a single communications chip that combines 3GPP NR 5G, 3GPP LTE, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6 and UWB into a single chip, that is a much more likely possibility by 2026 for the iPhone and cellular-equipped iPad models.
People wouldn’t have to be paying for the service in a work laptop. In fact at my work I have been told outright that one reason they won’t allow MacBooks is they don’t have cellular so they can be used on the road. You might say, why not hotspot, yet strangely, at my workplace only the senior people have a work phone and I will be stuffed if I used my service for them.
I do hotspot my IPP.
Looking at one of the Qualcomm media schemes, that’s exactly what they do. Also the 5G chip houses Bluetooth, fast charging, etc, that can likely be more integrated on Apple’s end
Sure Apple has experimented with a sandwich logic board like on the X but IDK enough if that can be done with SoCs.
You don't have to fiddle with settings beyond turning on the personal hotspot on your phone. Open "Settings" on the phone. "Personal Hotspot" is an above-the-fold option. Click on it. Click the button that says "Allow Others to Join".
If you have your phone with you and are outside of a known WiFi network, your Mac, iPad, etc. will ask you if you wish to connect to your personal hotspot. Click on that notification. You're set.
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Do not walk, run from this. Never ever get a first gen modem especially one that is designed around Qualcomm’s patent. After the intel modem that pretty much made my daily usage a living hell I will never buy anything but a Qualcomm modem until it is proven.
Trust me fellas don’t buy a first gen apple modem phone no matter how slick the marketing videos are, you can thank me later
Trust me fellas don’t buy a first gen apple modem phone no matter how slick the marketing videos are, you can thank me later
Over the next couple of years, all the products should be shifting to Apple modem. This rumor seems to be right. First testing with low end and then moving to higher end products.
Don't know how far integrating/merging with A series chip will happen. Should save some internal space. But not expecting to see this on iPad. Apple makes a lot of money by having two separate iPads. With and without cellular connectivity option.
Don't know how far integrating/merging with A series chip will happen. Should save some internal space. But not expecting to see this on iPad. Apple makes a lot of money by having two separate iPads. With and without cellular connectivity option.
If you aren't one who gladly suffers the drawbacks of the bleeding edge in the pursuit of the occasional huge payoffs of early adoption, then heed the above.
So I guess you like standing less than 100ft from a tower to get that mmWave kick, huh?
Funny how people get stuck on brands like Qualcomm, AMD, Nvidia, as having the be-all end-all of their technology niche. Same goes for Apple’s brand too of course. No one could EVER make a modem better than Qualcomm, right? No one should even try. It’s over, end of story, only Qualcomm for modems, AMD for X86, Nvidia for GPU, Apple Silicon for CPU. When I was in high school it was the gear heads yammering about who made the best carburetor, the best shocks, the best custom camshafts. The Dodge HEMI engine was the cat’s meow that no one could match.
How can you say Apple’s modem will have underwhelming performance? Apple has plenty of resources to catch up with Qualcomm
Exactly. Most of the times I’m seeing “4G speeds” under 5G coverage anyway
Do you know which node is used in Qualcomm chip ?
I will gladly suffer in the name of bleeding edge. But there is no bleeding edge here, in fact it’s worse than Qualcomm and without mmWave. The only innovation is getting around not using Qualcomm patents, as a consumer why do I care about that.
It’s all risk with no reward for the end user.
I get mmWave in my backyard from a node about 500 feet away. Maybe more. 2.5GBPS+.
I agree that not having mmWave would be a huge blow in my opinion.
it is not only about profit maximizing, they also want to reduce the footprint, improver energy consumption and just build the better modem. the only thing stopping them from doing the latter is probably qualcomm patents.
We have tons of towers because I don't live in the middle of nowhere. We pretty much always have that service here.