Apple reportedly hoping to ditch Qualcomm and launch its own modem chips in 2024

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Apple Inc. is looking to reduce its reliance on the chipmaker Qualcomm Inc., and to do that it has been working on developing its own modem chip for a number of years, according to a report today in Bloomberg.

That work has progressed, and Apple could introduce its own chip in some devices by the end of 2024, the report said. In addition, the iPhone maker is also said to be working on building its own WiFi and Bluetooth chip in order to ditch Broadcom Inc. as a supplier, too.

Apple’s desire to transition away from Qualcomm’s chips reportedly stems from a nasty legal battle involving the two companies over licensing, patent and royalty fees relating to the modem chips that power its iPhone and iPad devices. In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm, accusing it of unfairly collecting royalties for technologies it didn’t develop. Apple ultimately backed down and settled the case out of court, but it’s believed that it wasn’t happy with the outcome and ever since it has been formulating a plan to end its relationship with the chipmaker.

That plan involves developing its own modem technology for future iPhones and iPads, and it was boosted significantly in late 2019 when Apple acquired part of Intel Corp.’s modem business. It was an important acquisition that gave Apple access to a number of standard-essential patents pertaining to cellular technology, as well as engineering talent.

Bloomberg’s report cites people familiar with the matter as saying Apple had hoped to launch its first modem chip later this year, only for “development snags” to put the launch back to late 2024 or early 2025. It also notes that even when the chip does launch, Apple would still have to license some essential patents from Qualcomm and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson.

Although the modem chip is believed to be Apple’s priority, the company is also just as enthusiastic about replacing the components it sources from Broadcom with its own, in-house offerings. The same report claims that Apple is also working on a WiFi and Bluetooth chip that could be ready by 2025.

Apple signed a three-and-a-half-year deal to purchase wireless components and modules from Broadcom in 2020, so it’s likely to need a stop-gap solution until its own components are ready. Apple also relies on Broadcom to supply other components such as radio-frequency chips and wireless charging gear, and is “working on customizing those parts as well,” Bloomberg reported.

Apple does have a precedent for using in-house solutions. It already designs its own A-series chips that are used in some iPhones, as well as the M-series chips that power its Apple Mac computers.