Apple Accepts Failure in Custom 5G Modem Development Project: Report
Nov. 29, 2023It is no secret that Apple aims to gain tighter control over its devices by including custom-made components. However, it seems that the tech pinnacle has hit a snag towards its aim. It has been reported that Apple is finally abandoning the plans of developing custom 5G modems after failing at it for some time now.
Areport by “yeux1122” in Naver’s blog, citing supply chain sources, says that Apple is planning to discontinue the development efforts and investment it has put so far into developing an in-house 5G modem, which was expected to feature in the upcoming iPhone SE 4. This ends the possibility that we will ever see an Apple-made 5G modem in iPhones.
Apple’s incessant efforts for custom 5G modem
Modem chips involve complex circuitry and coding. While one can argue that Apple has beaten Intel at its own game by developing custom M-series chips for Macs, 5G modems are a different ball game. Qualcomm has perfected the technology after decades of research and development efforts.
Even after chipping in billions of dollars, Apple has seemingly failed to develop its own modem. The major reason behind Apple’s failure to match Qualcomm’s modem technology is believed to be the code for the modem that was borrowed by Intel. Apple engineers have reportedly been unable to integrate modern functionalities into the code, leading to an early prototype that was believed to be years behind what Qualcomm currently offers in its modems.
On Apple’s part, it would be a behemoth task to accept the failure, not to mention the billion-dollar investment it has poured in over the years to develop an in-house modem. Previously, Apple had to give up on its plans for AirPower, the wireless charging mat, after being unable to find a solution for overheating in a similar fashion.
