Apple Will Not Make Its Own 5G iPhone Modem, New Leak Claims

A recent report suggests that Apple has abandoned plans to develop an in-house 5G modem chip. The leak hints that the Cupertino giant might not push through the project since there's a lack of progress.

Challenges in Developing Apple's Own 5G Modem

Numerous reports have detailed the hurdles Apple faced in pursuing this ambitious project. Described as a "spectacular failure" in some accounts, the company encountered formidable obstacles.

Apple's motivation to create its 5G modem stemmed from dissatisfaction with its reliance on Qualcomm for modem chips, per Apple Insider.

Qualcomm's pricing structure, which included a percentage of the iPhone's value instead of a flat license fee, and the insistence on a patent license even when Apple purchased radio chips, led to protracted legal battles.

Intel's Exit and Apple's Acquisition

When Intel exited the competition, Apple seized an opportunity and acquired Intel's modem business for a billion dollars. This strategic move brought over 2,200 employees and 17,000 patents to Apple's arsenal, along with a pool of engineers, including some from Qualcomm.

High Expectations and Setbacks

The combination of Apple's chip design expertise, Intel's acquired resources, and talent from Qualcomm fueled expectations of a groundbreaking Apple 5G radio chip, potentially debuting in the iPhone 15. However, the anticipated launch did not materialize, and doubts loom over whether Apple can meet the timeline for the iPhone 16.

Doubts and Downbeat Reports

In September, a report from the Wall Street Journal painted a grim picture, labeling the progress on the Apple 5G modem project as a "spectacular failure." The report raised concerns about Apple's ability to deliver the highly anticipated 5G radio chip for future iPhone models.

"This is the related company's source. It is said that it has entered the stage of liquidating its continued investment in 5G modem development departments and personnel that Apple has been developing in-house in recent years. In other words, attempts to [...] develop its own modem appear to be unsuccessful and are expected to be completely abandoned," a blog post by yeux1122 reads.

For 9to5Mac, it's still early to believe that the source said about the 5G modem for iPhone. At this moment, it's a sketchy claim made by someone who has a mixed track record.

Last time, the leaker said that iPhone 15 Pro models will have a starting memory space of 256GB instead of 128GB. Well, this is true, however the 2TB capacity is deemed to be false.

If the 5G modem project is indeed true, this could boom among Apple fans who are curious about it. Still, hold your hopes until we hear an official statement from the tech giant. For now, take this leak with a grain of salt.