Apple is reportedly preparing to replace Qualcomm’s 5G chipset with its in-house modems for two new iPhone models to be released by 2025: the iPhone SE4 and a slim variant of the iPhone 17. If true, the move would signify the fruit company’s reduction of its reliance on external suppliers, furthering imparting more control over the company’s critical technology components.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the development of Apple’s proprietary 5G chips has been a long-term objective for a while now and apparently, it is going to be integrated into its future devices. Mind you, this is despite the brand having already extended its contract with Qualcomm to use its 5G chipset until March 2027. To that end, Apple plans to gradually phase out the chips while exploring alternative methods.
This is pretty much Apple’s way of implementing vertical integration to improve the products’ performance and differentiate it from past associated business models. And the company, at the moment, is trying to carefully transition into in-house technology without disrupting the current product supply.
Again, only the iPhone SE4 and the slim iPhone 17 are expected to feature Apple’s 5G chips in 2025. Other models, such as the iPhone 16 series and higher-end iPhone 17 variants, will likely still use Qualcomm’s 5G chipset. For now, Apple is still testing its modem technology in controlled environments before potentially expanding its usage across more devices in the future.
