There have been rumors for a while that Apple would develop its own modem. 5G for iPhoneTo reduce dependency on Qualcomm. The company has been working on this goal for years. In 2019 Apple Intel’s acquisition of its 5G modem division has further fueled speculation about a home solution. Now, those efforts may be starting to bear fruit. Citing sources in the supply chain, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared that Apple’s internal modem plans are moving forward.

This is expected to happen next year, according to Kuo Apple It will ship 35-40 million devices with its own 5G modem, and will increase that number to 90-110 million units in 2026 and 160-180 million units in 2027. He also noted that this development could hurt Qualcomm’s 5G revenue from chip supply and licensing.

In July, Kuo mentioned that the two models are planned to be released in 2025. iPhone With Apple’s own 5G modem. These models include: iPhone SE 4Expected to be available in the first quarter of next year and ultra-thin iPhone 17 AirIt is likely to be launched in the third quarter of 2025.

Apple has always sought to have complete control over its hardware ecosystem. Developing its own modem would give the company more design autonomy, potentially allowing for better integration between the iPhone and the cellular network. There are also rumors that Apple plans to combine the modem with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips into a single, simplified component. This could extend battery life and overall device performance.

As for Qualcomm, the chipmaker has a licensing agreement with Apple that runs through March 2027. But if Kuo’s predictions are accurate, Qualcomm could face a significant decline in iPhone sales as Apple ramps up production of its own modem. While issues are still emerging, Apple’s own 5G modem appears to be moving quickly and is poised to disrupt the smartphone connectivity market in the coming years.