Highlights
- Apple is set to debut its in-house 5G modem codenamed Sinope in select devices by 2025
- Initial reports suggest it won’t yet match Qualcomm’s performance.
- Apple plans to advance its modem technology in 2026 with the iPhone 18 lineup.
- It also plans for further enhancements by 2027 including built-in satellite support.
- The first modems will appear in the iPhone SE 4 and iPhone 17 Air in 2025.
Apple is set to debut its in-house cellular modem in select Apple devices by 2025. After spending over five years developing the tech, many tech experts look at this advancement as a major milestone. However, early reports suggest the first-generation modem codenamed Sinope won’t be able to match the performance of Qualcomm’s chips currently used in iPhones just as yet.
Bloomberg’s Apple reporter Mark Gurman, in one of his recent reports, highlights that Apple modem is “not as advanced” as Qualcomm’s latest offerings.
Apple’s 2025 In-House Modem
Gurman writes, “Sinope [modem’s codename] isn’t as advanced as the latest modems from San Diego-based Qualcomm, meaning the first Apple modem is a downgrade from the component currently in the iPhone 16 Pro.”
“Unlike today’s high-end Qualcomm parts, the Sinope modem won’t support mmWave, a type of 5G technology used by Verizon Wireless and other carriers, primarily in major cities, that can theoretically handle download speeds of as much as 10 gigabits per second. Instead, the Apple component will rely on the Sub-6 standard, a more prevalent technology used by the current iPhone SE,” he further adds.
The first Apple 5G modem will reportedly debut in two iPhone models iPhone SE 4 in spring 2025 and the iPhone 17 Air in fall 2025.
Moreover, we may also get to see some low-end iPads feature the modem later in the year. The iPhone SE 4 will have a new design with an edge-to-edge screen and support for Apple Intelligence apart from the new modem.
Gurman, in his report, also shares some details of the first Apple model expected to be used in the 2025 Apple devices. He writes, “The first Apple modem will also only support four-carrier aggregation, a technology that combines bands from several wireless providers simultaneously to increase network capacity and speeds. Modems from Qualcomm can support six or more carriers at the same time. In lab tests, the first Apple modem caps out at download speeds of about 4 gigabits per second, less than the top speeds offered by non-mmWave Qualcomm modems.”
Apple In-House Modem – Future Upgrades in 2026 and 2027
However, Gurman also specifies that Apple has bigger plans for its modem technology.
- 2026 Modem – Expected to be part of the iPhone 18 lineup and high-end iPads, it will feature significant advancements, including mmWave support, download speeds of up to 6Gbps and advanced carrier aggregation capabilities.
- 2027 Modem – Apple aims to surpass Qualcomm with a third-generation modem featuring built-in satellite support and enhanced overall performance.
While the first-generation modem might not rival Qualcomm’s chips, it appears Apple has long-term plans in place. The Cupertino giant is riding on hopes that it delivers a modem that not only matches but potentially outperforms competitors by 2027.
FAQs
Q1. When will Apple debut its first in-house 5G modem?
Answer. Apple is set to debut its first in-house 5G modem, codenamed Sinope, in select devices by 2025.
Q2. What are the limitations of Apple’s modem compared to Qualcomm’s modems?
Answer. The first Apple modem, Sinope, is not as advanced as Qualcomm’s latest offerings, lacking mmWave support and capping download speeds at about 4 Gbps with only four-carrier aggregation.
Q3. What advancements does Apple plan for its modem technology in the future?
Answer. Apple plans to introduce a modem in 2026 with mmWave support and download speeds up to 6 Gbps and by 2027, a modem with built-in satellite support and enhanced performance.
Read More: Apple Might Explore Releasing Its Own TV Set – Gurman Suggests
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