Vratislav Holub Apple has been working on the development of its own 5G modem for its iPhones for a long time. Thanks to this, he would be able to secure independence from Californian Qualcomm, which is currently the exclusive supplier of 5G models for newer iPhones. But as it gradually turns out, this development is not going exactly as the Cupertino giant first imagined.
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In 2019, the Apple company acquired the modem division of Intel, thereby acquiring not only the necessary resources, but also patents, know-how and important employees. However, the years are passing by and the arrival of your own 5G modem is probably not any closer. To make matters worse, Apple set itself another, quite similar goal – to develop its own chip that not only provides cellular connections, but also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. And it was in this respect that he attracted the attention of fans.
Apple faces a difficult task
As we mentioned above, the development of our own 5G modem has been going on for several years. Although of course no one except Apple can see into the development process, it is generally said that the giant is not quite the happiest, on the contrary. Apparently, it is dealing with a number of not exactly friendly problems that are delaying the potential arrival of its own component and therefore independence from Qualcomm. However, according to the latest news, the apple company plans to take it a little further. As we have already mentioned, the development of a chip to ensure cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity is at stake.
iPhone 14 Plus
Until now, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity of Apple phones has been provided by specialized chips from Broadcom. But that independence is important for Apple, thanks to which it does not have to rely on other suppliers, and at the same time it can save money in the long run on its own solution. After all, this is also the reason why the company embarked on the transition to its own Apple Silicon chipsets for Macs, or why it is developing its own 5G modem for iPhones. But from the description it follows that Apple could come up with a single chip that takes care of complete connectivity independently. One component could provide both 5G and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
This opens up an interesting discussion among apple lovers about whether the Cupertino giant accidentally took too big a bite. If we take into account all the troubles that it goes through in connection with its own 5G modem, then there are reasonable concerns that the situation will not get even worse by adding more tasks. On the other hand, the truth is that it doesn't have to be a single chip. Apple, on the other hand, is able to come up with a solution for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth before 5G, which would theoretically guarantee it at least independence from Broadcom. It is generally known that technologically and legislatively, the fundamental problem lies precisely in 5G. However, how it will turn out in the final is still unclear.
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Adam Kos 