According to Nikkei Asia, TSMC will begin production of the first 5G modems designed by Apple so that they can be included in iPhones to be released in 2023. Thus, it will mark the end of the Cupertino-based giant's long domestic efforts to become independent from players such as Qualcomm or Intel.
In addition, in 2019, Apple bought a significant part of its mobile division from Intel, which specializes in the development of 4G / 5G chips and modems. At the time, it was a way to accelerate the work that Tim Cook's teams had already done. The Japanese paper points out that, according to four of its sources: “The iPhone maker is developing its own components to work with radio frequencies and millimeter waves in addition to the modem. In addition, Apple is also working on its own power management chip specifically for the modem."
This new leak is in line with the latest rumors on the matter, namely the prediction of a switch to Apple modems in 2023. In addition, Qualcomm clearly indicated a few weeks ago that by 2023 modems are expected to be supplied for only 20% of iPhones. According to the SoC giant, Apple will continue to use Qualcomm modems for some markets at least initially.
The production testing phase of these Apple modems has already begun, and they will be engraved at 5nm. If TSMC's plans go according to plan, Apple's SoCs will switch to 4nm technology as early as next year, while the iPad 2022 and iPhone 2023 will have access to the 3nm process.
In 2023, Qualcomm modems will be in only 20% of iPhones — Apple will release its own chips
Qualcomm is preparing for Apple to release its own mobile modems to replace Qualcomm chips in the 2023 iPhone. At a recent investor event, Qualcomm CFO Akash Palkhivala said Qualcomm plans to supply 20% of Apple's modems in 2023. In other words, Qualcomm chips will be used in only 20% of iPhones in 2023.
Apparently, 2022 will be the last year in which Qualcomm will be the sole supplier of modems for the iPhone. Apple has been working on its own chips for connecting to cellular networks for years, and previous rumors indeed suggested that Apple's modems would be ready for launch in 2023.
Back in May, authoritative analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that chips for connecting to the 5G network could appear in the iPhone in 2023, which is in line with Qualcomm's data. If that happens, Apple will likely use its own chips in most countries, relying on Qualcomm only in certain regions. It is also possible that Apple's own modems will be used in new flagship models, while Qualcomm products will be used in older solutions, as well as in regular smartphones such as the iPhone SE.
This is not the first attempt by Apple to abandon Qualcomm modems. The company wanted to equip the iPhone 12 with Intel 5G chips, but they did not meet Apple's expectations.
