Apple's 5G Modem First Version Without Millimeter Wave Support, Future Outlook

TapTechNews September 19th news, according to DigiTimes report, the first version of Apple's self-developed 5G modem (also known as baseband) does not support millimeter wave technology. This means that Apple may continue to rely on its existing 5G chip supplier Qualcomm to provide 5G chips for iPhone models that support millimeter wave (including all iPhone 12 models and newer models in the US version).

TapTechNews noted that Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had said in July this year that two iPhones with Apple's self-developed 5G modem will be released in 2025, including a new iPhone SE (first quarter) and an ultra-thin iPhone 17 (third quarter). As a low-cost device, it is logical that the next-generation iPhone SE lacks millimeter wave support, and the ultra-thin iPhone 17 may also need to abandon millimeter wave technology to achieve a thinner design.

Millimeter wave is a 5G frequency that can provide extremely fast speed but has a shorter transmission distance and is suitable for densely populated urban areas. In contrast, sub-6GHz 5G usually has a slower speed than millimeter wave but the signal propagation distance is farther, which is more suitable for suburban and rural areas. In many countries, sub-6GHz networks are still more common than millimeter wave networks.

Currently, all iPhones on sale are equipped with Qualcomm's baseband chips, but Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to gradually shift to self-developed. Earlier this year, Apple extended the 5G baseband chip supply agreement with Qualcomm until 2026, so Apple still has enough time.

In 2019, Apple acquired most of Intel's smartphone baseband business to develop its own 5G chips. It is not yet clear whether Apple's chips will have any consumer advantages over Qualcomm's baseband chips, but it will reduce Apple's dependence on external suppliers. In 2017, Apple had sued Qualcomm for anti-competitive behavior and unpaid 1 billion US dollars in patent royalties, and the two companies reached a settlement in 2019.