Mark Gurman: Apple further postpones internal target for its own iPhone modem

Apple is reportedly unable to achieve its self-imposed goal of producing its own iPhone modem in the spring of 2025. The company has a contract with Qualcomm for the purchase of network chips until 2026.

According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman the company was already behind internal goals to develop a replacement for Qualcomm’s modem chips and that goal has been postponed until the end of 2025 at the earliest, possibly even 2026. Those involved told Gurman, but they did not provide details about the reason for the delay.

Previously, based on statements from former Apple employees, it was claimed that the company’s own modem chips are three years behind Qualcomm’s best modems. The original plan would have been to use its own network chip for the iPhone 15, but internal tests reportedly showed that prototypes underperformed and were far too large for the device. Apple extended its contract with Qualcomm in September.