Apple is about to say "goodbye" to Qualcomm to move towards self-produced components?
According to leaked news from a reputable source, Apple is developing a "homegrown" 5G modem and is expected to equip the iPhone SE 4 to be launched next year, marking an important step forward in its supply chain autonomy strategy.
This exclusive information was given by Bloomberg technology writer Mark Gurman, who said that Apple will gradually replace Qualcomm's 5G modem with its own designed chip within the next 3 years. The first modem, codenamed Sinope, will be integrated into the iPhone SE 4 and some low-cost iPad models.
Apple will have a breakthrough in components for the iPhone.
However, Sinope is said to only support the sub-6GHz band, not mmWave 5G like Qualcomm's current modem. However, sub-6GHz is still the popular 5G technology globally, especially in developing countries.
Apple is also developing next-generation modems codenamed Ganymede (mmWave 5G support, launching in 2026) and Prometheus (superior performance, integrated satellite connectivity, launching in 2027).
This move shows Apple's ambition to control the entire iPhone manufacturing process, from hardware to software. Producing its own 5G modems not only helps Apple reduce costs and increase profits, but also be more proactive in designing and optimizing device performance.
However, this will be a big challenge for Apple, as Qualcomm is currently the world's leading supplier of 5G modems. Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon has confidently affirmed that it will take Apple many years to develop a competitive 5G modem.
Will Apple succeed in this “self-sufficiency” game? The answer will be revealed in the next few years.
