Apple has been working for years on developing its own 5G modem, and it’s finally ready to debut in 2025. However, according to a new report by Mark Gurman, Apple’s first in-house modem won’t match Qualcomm’s current technology in terms of performance. Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s 5G modem and its expected limitations compared to Qualcomm’s chips.
Apple’s 5G Modem to Debut in 2025 iPhones
Reports suggest that two iPhone models in 2025 will feature Apple’s new 5G modem: the iPhone SE 4 in the spring and the iPhone 17 Air in the fall. Additionally, low-end iPads may also receive the modem by the same year. While this marks a significant step for Apple in reducing its reliance on Qualcomm, the initial release will have some limitations that users should be aware of.
Performance Limitations of the Apple 5G Modem
The Apple 5G modem, codenamed “Sinope,” won’t be as advanced as Qualcomm’s latest offerings. Specifically, it will lack support for mmWave 5G, which enables ultra-fast speeds of up to 10Gbps and is used by carriers like Verizon in major cities. Instead, Apple’s first modem will rely on Sub-6 5G technology, which offers more limited speeds and is already available in the iPhone SE.
Additionally, the modem will only support four-carrier aggregation, while Qualcomm’s chips can handle six or more carriers at once. This means that the Apple 5G modem will have slower speeds and lower capacity compared to Qualcomm’s modems, which are designed for faster data rates and better overall performance.
In lab tests, the Apple 5G modem has been capped at speeds of around 4Gbps, which is less than what Qualcomm’s chips can achieve, especially when not using mmWave technology.
Apple’s Plans for More Advanced Modems in 2026 and Beyond
While the initial Apple 5G modem may have compromises, the company is planning to release more advanced modems in the coming years. According to Gurman, Apple is expected to introduce a new modem in 2026 that will feature mmWave support, faster speeds of 6Gbps, and six-carrier aggregation. Furthermore, in 2027, Apple plans to roll out a third-generation modem with satellite support, which could potentially surpass Qualcomm’s performance.
Why Is Apple Moving Away from Qualcomm?
Apple has been working on in-house modem technology for several years, aiming to reduce its dependence on Qualcomm. However, it’s not surprising that Apple’s first 5G modem may fall short in terms of performance, as the company is relatively new to this market. The question remains: will consumers view the Apple-designed modem as a drawback, or will the shift to a more integrated Apple ecosystem outweigh the performance difference?
Conclusion
Apple’s decision to design its own 5G modem marks a significant step forward in its strategy to reduce reliance on third-party components. While the initial Apple 5G modem in 2025 iPhones will have performance limitations compared to Qualcomm’s modems, future releases in 2026 and 2027 are expected to improve dramatically. For now, however, the transition to an Apple-designed modem may have some drawbacks for consumers seeking the best possible 5G performance.
