Three-Year Modem Rollout Plan:
- First Modem Launch: Apple's in-house modem system will debut in Spring 2025 with the iPhone SE, its entry-level smartphone.
- Mid-Tier and iPads: Scheduled to appear in mid-tier iPhones (2025) and lower-end iPads.
Ambitious Goal:
- Apple aims to overtake Qualcomm's modem technology by 2027.
Development Journey:
- Apple invested billions of dollars to set up global testing labs and acquired Intel’s modem group for $1 billion.
- Challenges: Early prototypes faced issues like being too large, overheating, and lacking power efficiency.
Current Limitations of Apple Modem (Sinope):
- Lacks mmWave 5G technology seen in Qualcomm’s modems, limiting speeds in high-end models.
- Initial deployment focused on lower-tier devices to mitigate risks of dropped calls or connectivity issues.
Implications for Qualcomm:
- Apple accounts for 20% of Qualcomm’s revenue. Shares of Qualcomm dropped 2%, while component supplier Qorvo saw a 6% decline.
Future Plans:
- Apple is conducting extensive global testing and carrier quality assurance to refine its technology for broader adoption in premium devices.
Takeaway: Apple’s multi-year modem rollout signals a strategic shift toward hardware independence. While early versions may trail Qualcomm's technology, the company’s long-term vision could significantly disrupt the mobile connectivity landscape.
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