Kuo: Apple’s 5G modem is not quite ready, Qualcomm will supply 5G chips for 2023 iPhones

2022-06-29

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo Tweeted an update about the state Apple’s 5G modem situation. Back in 2019, Apple acquired Intel’s modem business so that Apple could eventually begin producing its own 5G chips for iPhones.

Reports of Apple's development of 5G modem began in late-2020, but Kuo’s latest note reveals that Apple won’t be ready to transition to Apple 5G modem’s until 2024.

Kuo noted that Apple’s “5G modem chip development may have failed” and that Qualcomm will continue to be the sole supplier of 5G chips for Apple’s 2023 iPhones. Shortly after Kuo’s report came out, Qualcomm stock rose by over 3%. As per CNBC, Qualcomm previously expected to provide 20% of 5G modems for 2023 iPhones.

Apple’s 5G modems are reportedly still under development. Kuo expects for Apple’s own chips to eventually replace Qualcomm’s 5G modems on new iPhones. By the time Apple is ready, Qualcomm is expected to have diversified and grown enough to offset the impact in revenue that it would face once Apple transitions away from Qualcomm modems.

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