Apple’s long-in-the-works project to build its own cellular modem is about to see the light of day. As multiple reports have indicated in the past, select 2025 iPhone models will carry the Apple 5G modem—but thanks to a new report, now we know it won’t quite measure up to what Qualcomm’s chip offers.
Apple’s first in-house 5G modem won’t measure up to existing cellular tech from Qualcomm
As previous reporting has indicated, Apple is planning to add its new 5G modem to two new iPhones in 2025:
Gurman corroborates this plan, and adds that some low-end iPads ‘may’ get the modem in 2025 too.
Where his report is especially interesting, though, is in the new details around performance for Apple’s modem.
Mark Gurman, writing for Bloomberg:
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.
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
All of this points to a first modem from Apple that comes with compromises.
More advanced Apple modems coming in 2026 and 2027
Gurman says Apple is ultimately planning to replace Qualcomm entirely by launching advanced successor modems in 2026 and 2027.
The 2026 modem is expected to be added to the entire iPhone 18 line and high-end iPads, and will feature “support for mmWave, download speeds of 6 gigabits per second, six-carrier aggregation when using Sub-6, and eight-carrier aggregation when using mmWave.”
Then in 2027, the hope is to roll out a third modem that will include built-in satellite support and ultimately top Qualcomm’s performance.
9to5Mac’s Take
Apple has been working on in-house modems for a long time, but today’s report isn’t entirely surprising—including the negative aspects of it.
Since Apple is new to the modem game, its first launch having shortcomings compared to Qualcomm isn’t too shocking. However, it will be interesting to see how consumers view the modem. Will this new Apple-designed component be seen as a potential negative rather than a positive feature?
What do you think of this report? Do you want an Apple-designed 5G modem, or would you prefer Qualcomm’s? Let us know in the comments.
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