Just a few days ago, there was news that Apple is likely to begin the process of delivering an ARM chip that has a built-in 5G modem, aiming to completely replace the Qualcomm modems currently used in Apple devices. The company might start shipping its first products with this in-house developed 5G modem as soon as next year. However, at this moment, the modem is still separate from the ARM processor.
Upcoming Devices
The iPhone SE 4 is anticipated to kick things off in the spring, followed by the launch of the iPhone 17 Air in the fall. As reported by Bloomberg, this new Apple modem is designed to occupy significantly less space and use much less power compared to Qualcomm's 5G modem. This efficiency is part of the reason the Apple iPhone 17 Air can be so thin. Specifically, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman notes that this model will be around 2 millimeters slimmer than the iPhone 16 Pro, coming in at just 6.3 millimeters thick.
Future Plans
Apple is also looking into adding a 5G modem to future MacBooks, but this won't happen until 2026, when a second-generation modem with better performance is ready. This timeline aligns nicely with the expected release of a redesigned MacBook Pro featuring an OLED display. Additionally, there are plans for a future version of the Apple Vision Pro to also include an Apple 5G modem, similar to what will be found in the next-generation iPad. According to Bloomberg, Apple does not currently plan to replace the LTE modem in the Apple Watch with its own 5G modem.
