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

[MacRumors]

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.

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.

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

 

[appleCakes]

Great reason to buy iPhone 16.

 

[1369281]

Even more reason to not buy either of these phones. No one does modems better than Qualcomm.

 

[Premium1]

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.

 

[Schtibbie]

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...

 

[GuyDouche]

“Modemgate” for iPhone 17 Ultra

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Uh oh. Wait for the next gen.

 

[bryo]

“Modemgate” for iPhone 17 Ultra

You’re just holding it wrong.

 

[nimitz9]

It's going to be interesting when the details/performance on this chip are released. The Intel modem years were kinda of rough, remember how Apple had to slow down the Qualcomm equipped iPhone versions to match the inferior Intel iPhone versions.

 

[Zdigital2015]

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.

 

[huntyc]

So if we want any chance at a stable, refined phone this might be the year?

feels like this new stuff (modem, new design) is going to take a couple years to iron out

 

[JPack]

Apple is using it in SE4 and 17 Slim. That's their low-end and upper-range phone, not high end. Kinda tells you how well they expect their modem to perform if they're not putting it in Pro/Max.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Another in house triumph for Tim Cook and Apple. Great job!

 

[salz4life]

So what you are saying is I should go ahead and upgrade this year.

 

[seek3r]

Apple is using it in SE4 and 17 Slim. That's their low-end and upper-range phone, not high end. Kinda tells you how well they expect their modem to perform if they're not putting it in Pro/Max.

The 17 Slim is rumored to be the highest placed phone in the lineup... I suspect any lack of it in the other phones is likely due to keeping the same or similar chassis from the 16s, the modem may need a redesign on antenna placement or something

 

[t0rqx]

Beta product.

 

[JPack]

The 17 Slim is rumored to be the highest placed phone in the lineup... I suspect any lack of it in the other phones is likely due to keeping the same or similar chassis from the 16s, the modem may need a redesign on antenna placement or something

Nobody thinks it'll be the highest end phone except for literally one source. I'm still not sure why so many posters believe that.

 

[Kottu]

Even more reason to not buy either of these phones. No one does modems better than Qualcomm.

That's what people said about Intel until M1 came out.

 

[jz0309]

Makes sense to put it in low end phone, it’s a 1st gen product (the modem). As for the “slim”, no one knows how it’s positioned yet, if even true…
and that goes for the modem too, not yet convinced, for me it would make more sense in cellular iPad first

 

[jz0309]

That's what people said about Intel until M1 came out.

Well, but we knew that Intel had been struggling for years, delays etc. Qualcomm is totally “on track”, not missed at all on the modem side

 

[coffeemilktea]

So I guess the iPhone 17 is going to have all sorts of amazing new features...

...and then a modem of questionable quality to hold it back? 🤪

 

[1369281]

Apple bought Intel’s subpar technology.

 

[SoldOnApple]

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.

Apple designs the chips. Apple are the only phone makers that actually design their own Arm chips aren't they?

 

[sw1tcher]

Even more reason to not buy either of these phones. No one does modems better than Qualcomm.

That's what people said about Intel until M1 came out.

Intel CPU vs Apple CPU isn't the same as Qualcomm modem vs Apple modem.

Apple had a decades-worth of experience building A series chips, so moving to M chips wasn't risky. Meanwhile, Apple's building their modems off Intel IP and Intel employees

Apple's Acquisition of Intel's Smartphone Modem Business Completed, Intel Admits 'Multi-Billion Dollar Loss'

Intel today announced it has completed the sale of the majority of its smartphone modem business to Apple for $1 billion following regulatory...

www.macrumors.com

Intel today announced it has completed the sale of the majority of its smartphone modem business to Apple for $1 billion following regulatory approval. The transaction was first announced in July and includes intellectual property, equipment, and approximately 2,200 Intel employees joining Apple.


and they've been struggling with set-backs and delays for years now. That's why Apple extended their licensing agreement with Qualcomm through 2027.

Apple Extends Modem Licensing Deal With Qualcomm Through March 2027

Apple has extended its modem chip licensing agreement with Qualcomm through March 2027, Qualcomm said today during its first earnings call of 2024....

www.macrumors.com

WSJ: Apple's 5G Modem Prototypes 'Three Years Behind Qualcomm's Best Chip'

In the last few years, Apple has spent billions of dollars attempting to develop its own modem chip to replace the Qualcomm modem chips that it uses...

www.macrumors.com

Apple's In-House 5G Modem Work Faces Further Delays

Apple is continuing to run into troubles in its attempt to develop a 5G modem to replace Qualcomm's 5G modems in the iPhone and other products,...

www.macrumors.com

Who knows how good the Apple/Intel modems will be. Maybe Apple will surprise us. Or will Apple throttle iPhones with Qualcomm modems like they did with iPhone 7 if Apple's own modems don't measure up?

Apple confirmed limiting iPhone 7 Qualcomm modem to keep performance on par with Intel chip | AppleInsider

A follow-up report regarding iPhone 7 download speeds confirms Apple is indeed limiting the performance of Verizon/Sprint units with Qualcomm modems to keep parity with AT&T/T-Mobile versions running Intel's new communication package.

appleinsider.com

 

[UK-MacAddict]

The iPhones which previously used Intel modems had big performance differences to those equipped with Qualcomm modems.