Apple's Work on 6G Connectivity Already Expanding

[MacRumors]

Apple's work on implementing 6G cellular connectivity on its devices appears to be ramping up, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple is increasingly turning its attention to 6G, even amid its widely reported difficulties developing a custom 5G cellular modem.

In 2021, the first highly specific Apple job listings with reference to 6G emerged. Now, a further job position for a Modem Systems Software Architect has appeared on the company's website that seeks an individual to "coordinate the design and modeling of a 6G reference architecture." Gurman says the listing is part of the company's growing push to hire engineers to develop 6G cellular technologies.

Carriers are already working on next-generation 6G networking. In late 2020, Apple joined the Next G Alliance, an industry group set up by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) that seeks to "advance North American mobile technology leadership in 6G and beyond over the next decade, while building on the long-term evolution of 5G."

Some analysts say the technology could enable speeds more than 100 times faster than 5G, but the extent of its enhanced performance in the real world is yet to be seen. 6G is not expected to emerge on consumer devices until around 2030.

Article Link: Apple's Work on 6G Connectivity Already Expanding

 

[Shirasaki]

But not using Apple’s in-house modem, right? Or 6G is the time Apple finally somehow build a custom modem chip themselves?

 

[MrRom92]

This is it! This is when they activate all the vaccine chips!

 

[PsykX]

"100 times faster than 5G"...
in other words...
"100 times faster than 4G" 🫠

 

[WarmWinterHat]

This is it! This is when they activate all the vaccine chips!

It's about time!

"100 times faster than 5G"...
in other words...
"100 times faster than 4G" 🫠

100 times faster than 3G, if that.

 

[JohnnyApple$eed]

It’d be great if they could just get the iPhone 15 Pro Max Wi-Fi to work with iOS 17 first.

 

[4odomi]

Apple's work on implementing 6G cellular connectivity on its devices appears to be ramping up, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple is increasingly turning its attention to 6G, even amid its widely reported difficulties developing a custom 5G cellular modem.

In 2021, the first highly specific Apple job listings with reference to 6G emerged. Now, a further job position for a Modem Systems Software Architect has appeared on the company's website that seeks an individual to "coordinate the design and modeling of a 6G reference architecture." Gurman says the listing is part of the company's growing push to hire engineers to develop 6G cellular technologies.

Carriers are already working on next-generation 6G networking. In late 2020, Apple joined the Next G Alliance, an industry group set up by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) that seeks to "advance North American mobile technology leadership in 6G and beyond over the next decade, while building on the long-term evolution of 5G."

Some analysts say the technology could enable speeds more than 100 times faster than 5G, but the extent of its enhanced performance in the real world is yet to be seen. 6G is not expected to emerge on consumer devices until around 2030.

Article Link: Apple's Work on 6G Connectivity Already Expanding

If 5G is anything to go by, 6G is nothing to shout about 😏

 

[hieranonymous]

It’s possible Apple’s realized its timeline for in-house 5G modems is still far-enough off that it makes more sense at this point just to shift those engineering resources over to 6G development. It’s amazing what a stranglehold Qualcomm has over the 5G space. It’s still too critical of a component for Apple not to want to bring it in-house, but it’s clearly a difficult technology to develop.

 

[4odomi]

It’d be great if they could just get the iPhone 15 Pro Max Wi-Fi to work with iOS 17 first.

My partner has had hers for 30 days, never had an issue with wi-fi!

 

[Shirasaki]

It’s possible Apple’s realized its timeline for in-house 5G modems is still far-enough off that it makes more sense at this point just to shift those engineering resources over to 6G development. It’s amazing what a stranglehold Qualcomm has over the 5G space. It’s still too critical of a component for Apple not to want to bring it in-house, but it’s clearly a difficult technology to develop.

It’s going to be a fierce patent race between Apple and Qualcomm in the modem world, with Qualcomm having a leg up.

 

[JustSomebody12]

It’s possible Apple’s realized its timeline for in-house 5G modems is still far-enough off that it makes more sense at this point just to shift those engineering resources over to 6G development

Also, since Apple are often long-term planning, they are focusing there to have a true edge/parity when 6G gets to be

 

[vertsix]

How about they work on making an efficient 5G modem first? Qualcomm's modems are still incredibly power inefficient.

 

[Jimbonatius]

By the time I get to experience 5G, 6G will probably be out, lol.

 

[dannyyankou]

It’d be great if they could just get the iPhone 15 Pro Max Wi-Fi to work with iOS 17 first.

Maybe it's just your WiFi? I have a 15 Pro Max, I haven't had any issues. If anything, I'm getting the max speeds in my home more frequently.

 

[lenningj]

Waiting for networks to improve 4g reception, let alone 5/6g

 

[JohnnyApple$eed]

My partner has had hers for 30 days, never had an issue with wi-fi!

Lots of back up to this on Reddit and other sites and it’s been noted here in MacRumors too. I believe it has to do with tri-band routers. The phone drops signal often.

 

[JohnnyApple$eed]

Maybe it's just your WiFi? I have a 15 Pro Max, I haven't had any issues. If anything, I'm getting the max speeds in my home more frequently.

Lots of back up to this on Reddit and other sites and it’s been noted here in MacRumors too. I believe it has to do with tri-band routers. The phone drops signal often. I can’t augment my wireless frequencies with Orbi. I’m stuck between a $1,300 phone with an iOS issue and a $500 mesh network.

 

[LelandHendrix]

How about they work on making an efficient 5G modem first? Qualcomm's modems are still incredibly power inefficient.

I thought this first too, but then with the development time involved…why spend more on what your competitor has already nailed instead of looking forward. Apparently these things have longer lead times than any other component.

 

[Shirasaki]

How about they work on making an efficient 5G modem first? Qualcomm's modems are still incredibly power inefficient.

Apple cannot even have a comparable prototype 5G modem after so many years, let alone an energy efficient one.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

"100 times faster than 5G"...
in other words...
"100 times faster than 4G" 🫠

You should switch to a 5G network that doesn't suck. I get gigabit download speeds regularly on my iPhone 15 Pro.

 

[swingerofbirch]

Smart money's on 7G. Everyone's expecting 6G to come out after 5G, but if you come to market with 7G before 6G's even out, you're a total disruptor who just changed the entire narrative.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

It’d be great if they could just get the iPhone 15 Pro Max Wi-Fi to work with iOS 17 first.

Works great with my eero pro 6e network.

 

[VisceralRealist]

Ah yes, 100x faster than 5G and with a signal so weak it can be blocked by a spiderweb

 

[vegetassj4]

The most G’s we’ve ever put in an iPhone

 

[Halmahc]

Apple cannot even have a comparable prototype 5G modem after so many years, let alone an energy efficient one.

After so many years? Since when did Apple start working on their in-house modem compared to Qualcomm's decades in this field?