Loading...
Apple’s Homemade 5G Modem: Coming to an iPhone Near You (Maybe in 2025, Maybe Later, Who Knows With These Guys?)
So, Apple, the company that likes to keep everything in-house like it’s a techy Amish community, has been trying to build their own 5G modem. You know, the thing that lets your phone talk to the internet super fast? They’ve been at it for years, promising to ditch Qualcomm – the current modem king – like a bad date.
The big news? Apple’s maybe, possibly, kinda sorta gonna stick this homemade modem in the next iPhone SE. But hold your horses, folks, because this isn’t the iPhone 15 we’re talking about. It’s the SE, the budget phone that’s like the iPhone’s awkward younger sibling. And even then, we’re talking 2025, maybe.
Why the SE first? Well, it’s kind of a test run. If the modem explodes or, you know, just doesn’t work great, it’s less of a PR disaster with the cheaper phone. Then, maybe, just maybe, if it doesn’t totally suck, it might make its way into the fancy iPhones in 2026 or 2027.
But here’s the kicker: this first version of Apple’s modem might not even have the fastest 5G, the “mmWave” kind. Think of it like this: mmWave is the Ferrari of 5G, super-fast but only works if you’re standing right next to the cell tower. Apple’s modem might be more like a reliable Toyota, slower but works pretty much everywhere.
Now, why is Apple doing this? Money, honey! They’re currently paying Qualcomm a hefty licensing fee for every iPhone they sell. If they can make their own modem, they can keep that cash for themselves. Plus, there’s the whole “we like to control everything” thing. Apple and Qualcomm have a history, a bit like a messy divorce. They’ve sued each other, made up, signed agreements, it’s a whole drama.
But building a modem isn’t easy. Remember Intel, the other chip company? They tried and failed spectacularly. Apple even bought Intel’s modem business for a cool billion dollars, hoping to get a head start. But apparently, Intel’s code was like a Frankenstein monster – stitched together and prone to falling apart.
So, will Apple’s 5G modem be a game-changer or a total flop? We’ll have to wait and see. But one thing’s for sure: the drama is just getting started.
From the sales floor to the critic's corner, I'm a former Apple Sales Specialist who's not afraid to tell it like it is. Get my honest takes on the iPhone, Mac, and everything Apple. | Los Angeles, California.
