Apple's First 5G Chip for iPhones Reportedly Won't Support mmWave

[MacRumors]

Apple is rumored to have been working on its own 5G modem for iPhones since 2018, but the first version of the chip might lack mmWave support.

Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes today reported that Apple's in-house 5G modem has yet to incorporate mmWave technology. Until that changes, Apple will likely continue to rely on its existing 5G chip supplier Qualcomm for iPhone models that support mmWave, including U.S. models of all iPhone 12 models and newer.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in July said two iPhone models with an Apple-designed 5G modem will be released in 2025, including a new iPhone SE in the first quarter of the year and an ultra-thin iPhone 17 model in the third quarter. As a lower-priced device, it would make sense for the next iPhone SE to lack mmWave support, and it might also be a necessary compromise in order for the ultra-thin iPhone 17 to achieve a slimmer design.

mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, which is ideal for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas. sub-6GHz networks are still more common than mmWave networks in many countries.

All existing iPhones that are currently sold by Apple are equipped with Qualcomm modems for cellular connectivity, but Kuo expects Apple to transition away from Qualcomm over time. Earlier this year, Apple extended its 5G modem supply agreement with Qualcomm for iPhone launches through 2026, so Apple still has plenty of time.

In 2019, Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business, as part of its efforts to design its own 5G chip. It is unclear if Apple's chip would have any consumer benefits over Qualcomm's modems, but it would reduce Apple's reliance on an external supplier. In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over alleged anticompetitive practices and $1 billion in unpaid royalty rebates. The two companies settled the lawsuit in 2019.

Article Link: Apple's First 5G Chip for iPhones Reportedly Won't Support mmWave

 

[dugbug]

why not start off offering them in macs? Lower volume and nobody is going to freak out about mmwave.

 

[vertsix]

It makes sense why Apple is trying to build their own 5G modems. Qualcomm's modems, although the best at this time, are still quite inefficient and use a lot of power. If there's breakthroughs here, there will be massive gains in battery life and thermal performance.

 

[Anaxarxes]

mmWave is not really globally implemented anyway, would be great to see what they come up with for the non pro models

 

[zorinlynx]

Great, so once again because Apple is stubborn about doing business with Qualcomm, we're going to get an inferior cellular chipset in our phones.

Damnit, just work with Qualcomm. They're the best at what they do. There's no need to bring everything in-house.

I'm so glad I got at 15 Pro Max last year, so I can have a good Qualcomm modem for the next few years. Hopefully by the time I have to upgrade, whatever Apple is using has the bugs worked out.

 

[Biro]

Well, if this modem is what’s going to be in the iPhone 17 “Air,” I can see the desirability of that device taking a hit. mmWave isn’t needed all the time. But I have T-Mobile and it is becoming more reliably available with each passing month and it does make a difference. If this modem won’t offer mmWave, it should be limited to the SE.

 

[widestload]

As someone using a non US iPhone …….. yeah so? 😉

 

[dannyyankou]

Sub-6ghz 5G is still plenty fast, but they should really hold off launching this until it is ready.

That being said, this doesn’t seem like something Apple would do, so I’m skeptical.

 

[CraigJDuffy]

Well, if this modem is what’s going to be in the iPhone 17 “Air,” I can see the desirability of that device taking a hit. mmWave isn’t needed all the time. But I have T-Mobile and it is becoming more reliably available with each passing month and it does make a difference. If this modem won’t offer mmWave, it should be limited to the SE.

The world exists outside of the US and mmWave for iPhones is US only. They already made a non-US model with a SIM slot so could offer it there first.

 

[VPsmith]

Apple needs to get ahead of Qualcomm defining the next generation of WiFi/cellular radios.. it’s Qualcomms patent edge that Apple isn’t going to ever get this off the ground. Apple is talented. But Intel is smart also and saw the same writing on the wall. Apple really has to get innovative on defining the next cellular standards. I don’t think they got it inside them. That is why Steve Jobs said F it let the networks and cellular providers handle it.

 

[Crow_Servo]

Apple already dropped mmWave from the latest (cellular) M4 iPad Pros, so it is something Apple would do and has done.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I guess that's a bummer but I've never personally used mmWave, even though I've been using a phone and service that supports it for at least four years.

 

[nateo200]

Apple already dropped mmWave from the latest (cellular) M4 iPad Pros, so it is something Apple would do and has done.

I mean most iPad users are home bound anyways so WiFi is fine especially with 6E or 7 class WiFi. We don’t know for sure what this modem will be used for.

 

[jz0309]

So it’s going to be launched in a “non-premier” market, seems like a good approach

 

[jz0309]

I guess that's a bummer but I've never personally used mmWave, even though I've been using a phone and service that supports it for at least four years.

When does the “average” consumer really need 900mbps download on cellular? I switched carriers 6 months or so ago and have access to mmWave in certain areas, and yes, my 13PM has been seeing 700mbps download, but its not needed for the typical social media user

 

[adambadamh]

My guess, US phones will get QCOM chips one more year and int'l ones will get the new tech as there seems to be less mmWave elsewhere.

Personally, I wish I could turn it off as the switching sucks and unless you are standing practically still it doesn't seem to ever really lock in a good signal.

 

[now i see it]

And Rumor #2 has it that the first iPhone to get this modem (apparently without mmWave support) will be the next iPhone SE. That iPhone now has been sequestered to the dog house.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Actually, no loss. Even Verizon doesn't use mmWave except at (mostly) sporting venues.

 

[VPsmith]

The world exists outside of the US and mmWave for iPhones is US only. They already made a non-US model with a SIM slot so could offer it there first.

It’s only for the time being. The world will get mmWave also in time

 

[jamescharley22]

I don’t think any more than a handful of people will really be sore from lack of cellular mmWave until it actually becomes more ubiquitous. Unfortunately, I still need a SIM card - not mmWave - so this is no more skin off my back. My bet is on mmWave indoors via Wi-Fi 8 when that’s ready. I have much more faith in mmWave making it to my phone/iPad using a home network I’ll always be able to return to and control (density and obstructions; then there’s ISP speeds and network bottlenecks 😪). I don’t think I’ve ever connected to mmWave in the wild.

 

[Brien]

It makes sense why Apple is trying to build their own 5G modems. Qualcomm's modems, although the best at this time, are still quite inefficient and use a lot of power. If there's breakthroughs here, there will be massive gains in battery life and thermal performance.

I could certainly see Apple eventually making some sort of all-in-one SoC with Wifi/5G/mmWave/BT to reduce the need for multiple antenna arrays and save on space + power.

 

[JohnC1959]

Well, if this modem is what’s going to be in the iPhone 17 “Air,” I can see the desirability of that device taking a hit. mmWave isn’t needed all the time. But I have T-Mobile and it is becoming more reliably available with each passing month and it does make a difference. If this modem won’t offer mmWave, it should be limited to the SE.

I think you will find that the new thin iPhone 17 has many deficiencies including battery size. I suspect it's more of a fashion phone as well as maybe Apple wanting to feel out issues with thin phones for the future.

 

[Schtibbie]

And Rumor #2 has it that the first iPhone to get this modem (apparently without mmWave support) will be the next iPhone SE. That iPhone now has been sequestered to the dog house.

Is the doghouse the place where normal people who don’t buy a new phone every year and who don’t track modem specs and who need a cheaper phone will be hanging out? Doesn’t sound bad.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Great, so once again because Apple is stubborn about doing business with Qualcomm, we're going to get an inferior cellular chipset in our phones.

Damnit, just work with Qualcomm. They're the best at what they do. There's no need to bring everything in-house.

I'm so glad I got at 15 Pro Max last year, so I can have a good Qualcomm modem for the next few years. Hopefully by the time I have to upgrade, whatever Apple is using has the bugs worked out.

Could be that they're working on the "M1" of cell chips. They didn't replace Intel until they had something that would unquestionably demonstrate that it was a good move.

 

[suchnerve]

mmWave suffers from the chicken & egg problem.

Its range isn’t actually THAT bad, but because almost no cell sites have it, its range seems much worse than it would be if mmWave panels were on every cell site.

I read a report several years ago that a city in Asia was able to achieve something like 98% outdoor coverage with mmWave just by adding it to existing cell sites — no new builds required.