Apple has reportedly decided to discontinue its efforts to develop its custom 5G modem chip due to significant obstacles and unrealistic objectives. According to sources from Apple’s 5G modem departments, the company’s attempts to create its own modem have been unsuccessful thus far. Reports suggest that Apple is winding down its investment in the project, which has been ongoing for several years. This decision comes after Apple faced challenges in comprehending the difficulties involved, setting unrealistic goals, and encountering non-functional prototypes, as stated in a report by the Wall Street Journal.
Apple to Discontinue Custom 5G Modem Development, Claim Reports https://t.co/glkynnXZy0 pic.twitter.com/lD45bbuTzB
— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) November 29, 2023
Apple’s initial plan to create an in-house modem chip led to the hiring of numerous engineers and the acquisition of a significant portion of Intel’s smartphone modem division. They even assembled a team of engineers from Intel and Qualcomm to meet their objective of having the modem chip ready by fall 2023. However, according to a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has encountered further obstacles in developing a 5G modem as a replacement for Qualcomm’s modems in their iPhone and other devices.
The launch of the modem chip has been delayed and is now expected to take place between late 2025 or early 2026. Despite the setbacks, Apple is persevering in its plans to incorporate the technology into a variant of the affordable iPhone SE. However, the development of the modem chip is still in its early stages, and Apple risks falling behind competitors in terms of technology and capabilities.
Apple to Discontinue Custom 5G Modem Development, Claim Reports – https://t.co/QiDSVFSiBf pic.twitter.com/hg0eR9x7AM
— Inside Mac (@InsideMacintosh) November 29, 2023
One version of the chip being developed reportedly lacks support for faster mmWave technology, while Apple has also struggled with the utilization of Intel code, resulting in necessary rewrites and the disruption of existing features. Additionally, Apple needs to exercise caution to avoid infringing on Qualcomm’s patents during the chip’s development process.
In summary, Apple has decided to discontinue its in-house 5G modem development due to significant obstacles, unrealistic objectives, and unsuccessful attempts at refining its proprietary chip. The company now faces delays in the launch of the modem chip and must overcome technical difficulties and potential patent infringements to catch up with competitors in the 5G market.
