Apple is working on integrating its new in-house developed modem chip into the Apple Silicon-based processors used in their devices. The move is designed to make the devices more power efficient and cheaper to produce, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
“I’d expect this in 2028 at the earliest,” said in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter.
Apple will integrate in-house modem into its main processors, but it will take time. Unless you closely read Apple’s press release for the iPhone 16e or scrutinized the company’s announcement video, you’d have no idea that the device has a groundbreaking new piece of technology: the first in-house modem chip.
Apple recently unveiled its C1 modem chip, which is used in the company’s new budget-priced smartphone, the iPhone 16e, which debuted last week. The Cupertino firm says the C1 is the most power efficient model used in an iPhone so far. The iPhone 16e’s battery lasts for up to 26 hours when watching video.
“C1 is the start,” said chipmaking chief Johny Srouji told Reuters. “We’re going to keep improving that technology each generation, so that it becomes a platform for us that will be used to truly differentiate this technology for our products.”
Gurman says Apple is also testing the C1’s eventual successors, the “C2” and “C3.” By the time the third-generation modem is ready as soon as 2027, Apple is planning for it to “outdo Qualcomm’s modem capabilities.” The company is planning to use the C2 modem in its iPhone 18 Pro models in 2026.
Apple has long made it clear that it wants to break away from relying on Qualcomm for its connectivity chips. Apple acquired Intel’s smartphone modem business in July 2019, taking the first step toward developing its own connectivity chips. At the time of the purchase, Apple said it would “help expedite our development on future products and allow Apple to further differentiate moving forward.”
Apple’s current modem supply agreement with Qualcomm lasts through March 2027, which should provide Apple plenty of time to perfect its modem technology.
Apple has been working on developing its own modem since 2018, as it seeks to make the move away from using Qualcomm’s modem in its devices. While there have been plenty of tension (and lawsuits) between the two firms, the pair recently extended their modem supply agreement through March 2027. That should allow Apple plenty of time to get its own solution ready for prime time.
