Apple Set to Launch Its Modem to Compete with Qualcomm by 2027

Key Highlights:

• Apple plans to launch its in-house modem in 2025, starting with the iPhone SE.
• The new modem, developed over several years, will replace Qualcomm’s chips in future Apple devices.
• The first-generation modem will be less advanced than Qualcomm’s, but Apple aims to overtake Qualcomm’s technology by 2027.

Apple is gearing up to introduce its modem chips, a move that could reshape its relationship with longtime partner Qualcomm. After years of development, Apple’s first self-designed modem is expected to debut in 2025, starting with the updated iPhone SE. This is part of Apple’s long-term plan to replace Qualcomm’s technology in future Apple devices, to surpass Qualcomm’s modem capabilities by 2027.

The modem will be called "Sinope" and will initially appear in lower-end Apple devices. It is designed to connect smartphones to mobile networks, allowing them to make calls and access the internet. While the first version won't have the high-end features of Qualcomm’s modems—like support for mmWave 5G technology—it will offer some notable advantages. For instance, Apple’s modem will be highly integrated with its processors, improving battery life and on-device features like satellite connectivity.

The first-generation modem, however, won't support some of Qualcomm's most advanced features, such as mmWave 5G. This means the speeds won’t be as fast as those offered by Qualcomm’s top modems, but for most users, the difference may not be noticeable in daily use. Instead, the new modem will rely on Sub-6 5G, which is already used in Apple's current iPhone SE models and offers decent speeds for most activities.

Apple’s push for an in-house modem started back in 2019 when it acquired Intel’s modem business. Since then, the company has been working on refining its technology, facing setbacks along the way. However, after restructuring the project and hiring engineers from Qualcomm, Apple is confident in the modem’s future. The modem will be produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which also makes Apple’s A-series chips.

Over the next few years, Apple plans to roll out more advanced modems. The second-generation chip, codenamed “Ganymede,” is expected to be ready by 2026 and will feature improvements like support for mmWave, faster speeds, and better network capacity. By 2027, Apple aims to release its third-generation modem, “Prometheus,” which it hopes will surpass Qualcomm in performance, adding artificial intelligence features and supporting next-generation satellite networks.

This move is significant for Qualcomm, as the company currently makes over 20% of its revenue from supplying modems to Apple. Apple’s switch to its modems could reduce Qualcomm’s sales and shift the balance in the wireless chip market.