Apple’s DIY 5G: A New Game in 2023
Remember the days when Apple bought its wireless chip from Qualcomm? Those times are getting a bit nostalgic because analyst Ming Chi Kuo just dropped a big update. He’s saying Apple will finally roll out its own custom-built 5G baseband chip in the 2023 iPhone lineup. That means folks who rely on Qualcomm’s products will have to scramble to fill in the gaps left by Apple.
What does this mean for the rest of the market?
- Qualcomm will need to hunt for new orders in other phone segments.
- MediaTek is also feeling the squeeze—its bargaining power is shrinking.
- The supply chain is back on track, so the whole balance of power is shifting.
Apple’s Radio Modem Journey
Apple has been engineering its own radio modem for years, even after signing a multi-year deal with Qualcomm. Back in 2019, The Information reported that Apple might take at least five years to get its own 5G modems to market—despite putting a higher priority on the topic.
6G on the Horizon?
News from Bloomberg adds that Apple is already looking ahead to 6G. A glut of job openings for wireless system research engineers suggests that this isn’t a fluke.
In a recent town‑hall meeting, Apple’s senior VP of hardware technologies, Johny Srouhi, told the staff that the “in‑house radio modem” is “another key strategic transition.” That’s a bold move: Apple is basically saying, “We’re building the future, straight from the source.”
Wrap‑up
In short, Apple’s move to produce its own 5G chip in 2023 signals a significant shift. The tech giants that have dominated wireless architecture—Qualcomm, MediaTek—will have to rethink their strategies. Meanwhile, Apple keeps forging ahead, possibly dipping into 6G before anyone’s done noting the progress. The phone market’s next chapter is sure to be an exciting read.
