Apple is working on in-house chips to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm and Broadcom

[Shawn Knight]

Forward-looking: Sources say Apple will stagger the transition and initially use its homegrown chip in just one new product, like its high-end iPhone model. The gradual move away from Qualcomm as its modem supplier could take up to three years and mirror how the company shifted away from Intel with its own Apple silicon.

Apple's upcoming in-house communications chips plans are coming into focus, and they are more in depth than we initially thought.

If you recall, many expected Apple to have its in-house 5G modem chip ready for the 2023 iPhone but problems with overheating, battery life and component validation pushed back those plans. Bloomberg now expects the replacement to be ready by the end of 2024 or in early 2025, which would put it in line for inclusion in the 2025 iPhone at the earliest. Final testing and validation could even push it back further.

Bloomberg further points out that Apple is working on an in-house replacement for the Broadcom chip that handles Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functionality in its mobile devices. Fruits from this newer effort are expected to be ready for the 2025 model year, sources said. There is even a project underway that will combine cellular modem, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality into a single chip, the people said.

Broadcom does not seem concerned about the developments at Apple. During a conference call last month CEO Hock Tan said they believe they have the best technology and are delivering value to their customers. "There's no reason to find something else where you're not the best," Tan added.

Apple already has experience making wireless chips including the W3 in the Apple Watch and the H2 in the AirPods.

Branching out to create its own silicon will not be a walk in the park, as Apple has already learned. Its homegrown communications chips will need to at least be equal to – or better than – the components they will replace as there's no room to take steps in the wrong direction in the cutthroat mobile market.

Image credit: Caleb Oquendo

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/97221-apple-working-house-chips-reduce-reliance-qualcomm-broadcom.html

 

[psycros]

And it will still be produced by the same Chinese factories, soooo....big whoop. All this is about is not having to pay a licensing fee for outside designs. I'm sure they'll pass that savings on to the customers. Yessir.

 

[Zsoltblabla]

And it will still be produced by the same Chinese factories, soooo....big whoop. All this is about is not having to pay a licensing fee for outside designs. I'm sure they'll pass that savings on to the customers. Yessir.

Apple is a business. You cant afford the prices - you don't buy. The choice is yours. Stop whining like a baby

 

[bviktor]

And it will still be produced by the same Chinese factories, soooo....big whoop. All this is about is not having to pay a licensing fee for outside designs. I'm sure they'll pass that savings on to the customers. Yessir.

Yes sir, apparently you don't have any idea what the difference between "Chinese" and "Taiwanese", or between "manufacturing" and "final assembly" is.

https://www.lifewire.com/where-is-the-iphone-made-1999503

Also, Apple never claimed to make this move to reduce the selling price of iPhones, so you're fighting with some sort of false dilemma that only exists in your head. Yessir. Apple is a for-profit organization, not a charity, obviously.

While we're at it, Qualcomm can kiss my @rse with their proprietary aptX and QuickCharge cr@p. Ironically, it was Apple that pushed open standard USB Power Delivery both on their phones and laptops, tablets, etc, while Qualcomm was busy forcing their licensed QuickCharge on OEMs via SoC price incentives. The situation became so bad that Google first "strongly recommended" OEMs to adopt USB-PD, then flat out MANDATED it, so now we can finally kiss goodbye to Qualcomm's cr@p. They can cry me a river.

 

[netman]

"If you recall, many expected Apple to have its in-house 5G modem chip ready for the 2023 iPhone but problems with overheating, battery life and component validation pushed back those plans."

Just keep the chips separate for the reasons above...!!!

When and if Apples uses this combo chip, I'll make sure to buy the last iPhone without the combo chip...!

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Apple is a business. You cant afford the prices - you don't buy. The choice is yours. Stop whining like a baby

Consumers can complain about prices being too high.

dont like it, dont read it.

Yes sir, apparently you don't have any idea what the difference between "Chinese" and "Taiwanese", or between "manufacturing" and "final assembly" is.

https://www.lifewire.com/where-is-the-iphone-made-1999503

Also, Apple never claimed to make this move to reduce the selling price of iPhones, so you're fighting with some sort of false dilemma that only exists in your head. Yessir. Apple is a for-profit organization, not a charity, obviously.

While we're at it, Qualcomm can kiss my @rse with their proprietary aptX and QuickCharge cr@p. Ironically, it was Apple that pushed open standard USB Power Delivery both on their phones and laptops, tablets, etc, while Qualcomm was busy forcing their licensed QuickCharge on OEMs via SoC price incentives. The situation became so bad that Google first "strongly recommended" OEMs to adopt USB-PD, then flat out MANDATED it, so now we can finally kiss goodbye to Qualcomm's cr@p. They can cry me a river.

Whataboutism: the comment.

 

[Enaks]

I thought Qualcomm & Broadcom owned the key patents for much of the tech, so even if Apple designs their own silicon, chances are they’ll still have to pay a licence for some of the IP needed for them to function

I’ll be interested to see what they come up with though, their chip designs and vertical product integration is probably still some of the slickest in the industry

 

[Mr Majestyk]

As the ecosystem becomes purely Apple expect further price hikes. Do you honestly think these money grubbers would pass on savings if they made their own modem cheaper, no they'll just milk further egregious profit margins.

Hilarious how Apple think they can be the best at all chip design too, the arrogance is breathtaking.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

Still.

They have been working on this for years, but have apparently gotten too big to properly manage difficult projects. Bureaucracy is a bit--.