Apple’s Quest for 5G Independence: A Rough Roll‑out
Rumors flying high—a fresh Bloomberg exposé hints that Apple might finally split from Qualcomm’s 5G modems sometime soon. But history shows how tricky that road can be.
The In‑House Dream
- Apple has been quietly building its own modem chips, hoping to ditch the external supplier for good.
- CEO Tim Cook’s ambition? Rolled everything out by the end of 2023.
Reality Check
- Ming‑Chi Kuo, the top analyst, says the 2023 plan didn’t play out.
- Unexpected hiccups forced Apple back to Qualcomm for its 5G needs.
- “We’re still on the Qualcomm train until we can hit our own station,” Kuo noted.
What’s Next?
- Apple is hustling to refine its chipry—maybe that’ll close the gap soon.
- Stakeholders will be watching if the next‑generation iPhone can finally boast a 100‑percent “Made‑in‑Apple” modem.
Bottom line: Apple’s journey to full 5G independence still has a few bumps ahead, but with their engineering swagger, it’s a marathon rather than a sprint. Stay tuned—history’s next chapter might just be a few semiconductors away.
Apple’s DIY Telephony: A Roadmap to Independence
Picture this: Apple, the tech giant of Mac and mobile, decides to make its own modem chips. In a bold move, Kuo mentions that they’re avoiding the quick‑sand rush of mass rollout to keep their tech truly their own.
One Device, One Chip
- First stop: a single device gets a brand‑new in‑house modem.
- After that, it’ll be swapped into others—taking a step by step approach.
- Turns out, the whole process could stretch out to about three years—a marathon, not a sprint.
Wireless Components Under the Hood
Apple isn’t stopping at modems. They’re also ramping up injection of their own Bluetooth and WiFi chips. Think of it as a DIY garage for connectivity—a switch from the usual Broadcom suppliers.
The current partnership with Broadcom is set to hit the expiration date this year, which could be a sweet spot for Apple’s own super‑cool components to step into the spotlight.
Long story short: Apple’s aiming to keep its phones—and its destiny—squarely in its own hands.
