They already differentiate the modems in the Pro models and the Non-Pro models
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Kuo: Apple's 5G Modem to Rapidly Roll Out in iPhones Starting Next Year
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I doubt it could be a long-term thing. They can't allow the non-Apple thing being the costly premium, while the Apple thing is the cheap default.
A lot of companies have claimed Qualcomm uses monopolistic practices.. Heck the FTC sued Qualcomm claiming they engaged in monopolistic practices that lock out potential competitors and make phones more expensive for consumers and originally won, then rejected on appeal. Either way, Qualcomm warns that Apple cannot avoid payments to them because they of their patients.
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I don't think the government would allow it. Also, not sure Apple or Google would be happy (I am sure they'd raise concerns).
I hope this works out, but Apple has proven terrible with RF design. Bad Bluetooth, bad WiFi, bad antennas even when using Qualcomm radios. I don't hold much hope. This sounds good in the executive suite, but recently, Apple delivery performance has fallen short of both the Keynote and customer expectations.
You do realize that's how patents work right? Apple needs to license the work of QCOM (and others) that they use in their phones. Apple has a portfolio of patents too that they can license or cross license to get better rates from others.
Apple is also more than free to not use Qualcomm's patents or technology- all they need to do is to invent an alternate technology for calls, data, etc. to work. Hell, if they had a WiFi only phone they could avoid paying Qualcomm anything at all- it wouldn't sell, but they could do it.
They are paying a reported ~$7.50 per phone on the patents for the 4G/5G- that's not even 1%. Even if it were $15 or $30, it's a bargain given that without it the tech the iPhone wouldn't be anything. You could build a Ferrari, but if there is no road to drive it on it's not a lot of good.
Apple charges $20 for a freaking 20W USB charger- the new phones don't even come with one any more so if you need one, you've got to buy it separately. Look at the memory up charge fees- do you think those are reasonable?
Apple builds really good hardware and many people love their ecosystem, and it's understandable that they want to build their own modem to be even more vertically integrated and avoid additional cost. Good for them, I think they may be the only major phone player that buys QCOM's discrete modem anyway (most use the SoC as I recall). I hope they pull it off- but the hatred for the company that builds arguably some of, if not the, best modems in the world for charging for their work? I don't get it.
Apple and Qualcomm can both be wildly successful- it's not an either or. Two American built success stories.
Lastly- I am pretty sure that the US DOJ is currently (March, 2024) suing Apple for monopolizing the smartphone market.
"Apple’s Broad-Based, Exclusionary Conduct Makes It Harder for Americans to Switch Smartphones, Undermines Innovation for Apps, Products, and Services, and Imposes Extraordinary Costs on Developers, Businesses, and Consumers"
Agree- they have spectacular engineers and hardware is top notch, but they do seem to struggle in the RF department (and have for a while). With enough money and time they may pull it off, but only time will tell. Also, other (Qualcomm, Samsung, Mediatek, etc.) are continuing to innovate their in market tech, while we for gen 1.
I still remember when they had the Intel modem in the ATT/T-mobile phones (iPhone 7) and even though I was on VZW, my phone was throttle to match the speed of the lesser modem. Like buying a Porsche GT3, but having the rev limiter set so it's Boxster fast.
I like picturing it more like: A block of wood permanently installed under the accelerator pedal so it can only be depressed ¼ of the way down. A rev limiter is too sophisticated 😈
It all sounds somewhat similar to Apple and their App Store/In-app purchasing business.
Apple will position this as superior to Qualcomm on a performance per watt, also it’ll free up space for more battery or a smaller design.
Apple and Google would be not only be happy but ecstatic if allowed to buy Qualcomm. They are like a cactus 🌵 thorn in Apple’s you know what
Actually I disagree- Qualcomm developed and provides the technology that allows both of them to sell millions of phones.
As to them being happy.... do you really think Tim Apple would be OK with Sundar (Goog) buying Qualcomm and Apple being forced to purchase Modems and license Goog technology? Same goes in reverse too- neither (add Sammy, and pretty much every other manufacture) would let that happen and would protest across the world and it would be blocked. If not in the US, in the EU- but likely both would.
For that matter- I am glad they are a thorn as you say. Both Google and Apple need to be kicked in the shins occasionally and I really won't be too shocked to see similar cases as to the current DOJ agains AAPL hit the courts.
Also, QCOM has to innovate and their SoC's and modems allow smaller players to make compelling products that the behemoths (Apple, Google, Samsung) need to compete with. If only the mega players were out there, innovation would be slower/stifled. It's not like Apple or Goog every really have any real innovations unless pushed. Are we going to get another round of new emoji's this year? Maybe they'll change the radius of a curve or give us .1 more screen. Ooohhhh.... ahhh.... AI on the phone... meh (Gemini sucks and we'll wait and see Apple AI, but I am not expecting much)
Give me a faster processor, modem and more RAM any day.
I like all three and hope they can all thrive- and competition is good for that
Is the G5 chip already included in the snapdragon chips. I ask this because Qualcomm produces both and are a big competitor already for Apple in the chip business since the introduction of their X-elite.
By creepy you mean they ask a lot of money for their product? In what way does this differ to Apple? You expect Apple to reduce their prices once they’re able to use their in-house modems?
I hope you’re right and the M4 series live up to their promises. Seeing the first iteration of the snapdragon X-elite already surpassing the M3 on many fronts, I’m curious how their second generation compares to the M4.
Apple disrupted the chip industry with their M1, but competitors took notice and are all aiming for the speed and efficiency crown now.
Apple is famous for disrupting markets, but doesn’t sustain those disruptions for long (hard-and software).
How well vertical integrated do you mean? They’ve their microprocessors and possibly they’ve their own modem too. The rest Apple uses is of the shelf components available for all competitors.
At least not yet… I have high hopes for Tesla and other Chinese brands (like Huawei) to get FSD working.
Huawei is giving a keynote right after Apple has given theirs and they’ve said they will introduce something right out of the future.
Since Apple wasn’t able to make an EV and Huawei has introduced one which is on high demand already… I’m expecting Huawei will steal Apples thunder this Monday and will also beat Tesla to it for their October event.
Huawei is very vertical integrated. Making their own hard- and software (5G modems, microprocessors) and you name it, they make it in-house. It’s the fastest growing phone brand in China already and pushed Apple out of the top 5 of vendors.
Their computers, laptops, watches etc. look the same as Apple’s but with better specifications and lots cheaper in price.
I’m not a fan of Huawei but seeing their progress in hard- and software and comparing it to Apple’s… it’s no wonder why they’re resurfacing.
Why can’t a company let the market decide? If Apple don’t want to use Qualcomm chips for their iPhone, they can buy from Huawei, Samsung or MediaTek. Or use their own solution. If they had one: Desperate for to extract even more profits, Apple wishes it had its own competing 5G modem chip. But they don’t.
"Game changer"? How's that? The article didn't elaborate on how Apple's chip would be better than Qualcomm, so if anything, and like everything Apple does, it's a move purely in the interest of Apple, ie., to SAVE MONEY.
Brings back memories of how, after many macOS updates, WIFI or BT would break. Seems Apple could never get WIFI or BT right.
Kinda funny that many people have already decided, if this product will be any good or not, or that they won't buy it.
Yes it could be worse. It could suck. It could be almost the same. It could have some advantages. It could be better.
We don't know anything about the state of their modem(s). Why not just wait and see?
Was the same with the Mac switch to Apple Silicon..
Yes it could be worse. It could suck. It could be almost the same. It could have some advantages. It could be better.
We don't know anything about the state of their modem(s). Why not just wait and see?
Was the same with the Mac switch to Apple Silicon..
I don’t expect they’ll use the extra space for better experiences for customers. If they would care about that the would definitely upgrade the amount of RAM in their total lineup. My guess is that it will save them money. Don’t expect their products to come cheaper though. It’s all about profit margin, the one space Apple excels at 😅