It seems that Apple has not yet given up on the idea of making its own in-house modem. The manufacturer is now eyeing 6G, according to a job offer spotted by Bloomberg. However, it is better not to expect integration into iPhones before 2030.
Since 2019, Apple has been going through a long obstacle course trying to manufacture its own 5G modem. The objective, ultimately, is to do without Qualcomm which still supplies modems for its iPhones. The firm had already abandoned the idea of equipping its iPhone 15 with a home modem, following too many difficulties encountered during development. However, the project is not yet dead and buried within the Cupertino offices.
The latest news is that the manufacturer is aiming for integration into iPhones by 2025. This will then, in theory, be a 5G modem. Which does not prevent the manufacturer from preparing the sequel. According to journalist Mark Gurman, plans for a 6G modem for future iPhones have already begun. Indeed, the latter spotted a recent job offer on the firm’s website which leaves no room for doubt.
Apple is already preparing an in-house 6G modem for its iPhones
“As a cellular platform architect, you will lead and coordinate the design and modeling of a 6G reference architecture”we can read in the document. “An appropriate set of prototype implementations and reference architecture models must be developed to enable the evaluation of candidate technologies and use cases. »
On the same subject — iPhone 15: no Wi-Fi 7 on the menu, but patience
However, this famous modem should not arrive anytime soon – if it ever arrives. Even if the project for a 5G modem for 2025 fails, the contract between Apple and Qualcomm is valid until 2026. According to Mark Gurman, we will even have to wait until at least 2030 to discover this famous 6G modem, in theory for the iPhone… 22.
It is not surprising, however, that Apple has not yet abandoned the project. By doing without Qualcomm, the manufacturer will greatly gain control over the technology of its iPhones, in addition to increasing its sales margins. As for 6G, this already promises a start reaching TB/s, for drastically reduced latency. For comparison, 5G currently offers a theoretical maximum speed of 20 GB/s.
Source: Bloomberg