Apple can’t find a solution to its iPhone 5G modem problems, which will be delayed again

Problems Manzana in developing our own 5G modem for him iPhone This is not a new story. However, the latest report from Mark Gurman states that while Apple will remain firm in its idea of ​​introducing it in the iPhone SE 4, it will take longer than expected.

According to the journalist BloombergApple will miss its goal of having the component ready by spring 2025. This will force Cupertino residents to delay its launch until at least the end of the same year. or directly until the beginning of 2026.

The main reason for the delay in the development of Apple’s 5G iPhone modem will be the inability to make it work better than current solutions.

Gurman’s sources claim that the hardware is still in a very early stage of development and that while at least one working prototype already exists, Their capabilities will be limited.. Mentioned, for example, is the lack of support for millimeter wave or mmWave.

But that is not all. Apparently, an important part of the shortcomings of this component will be associated with the software necessary for this to work. It would have been inherited by Apple after purchasing Intel’s 5G modem division in 2019. However, adapting it to the iPhone would be a real nightmare. To the point that engineers from Cupertino would have to rewrite the code almost from scratch.

Apple can’t promote its 5G modem for iPhone

Without making steady progress in developing its own 5G modem, Apple will again consider delaying the launch of iPhone SE 4. Gurman claims that this device will be the first to use this component, as its lower demand than the last generation iPhone makes it a good “test bed.” Although this is not the first time this possibility has been mentioned.

Earlier this year, Ming-Chi Kuo announced that Cupertino residents were considering launching a 5G modem in the said iPhone model. Recall that Apple allegedly stopped development of SE 4, although it later resumed it with the intention of providing it with a number of improvements. Among them are the abandonment of Touch ID, the installation of a 6.1-inch screen and the aforementioned introduction of a new modem of our own design.

Report Bloomberg not only confirms what was said by the Asian analyst, but also what was stated Wall Street Magazine a few months ago: this Apple is stagnating and that its 5G iPhone modem is at least three years behind Qualcomm’s.

Another interesting point that Gurman presents is that block participants are trying to avoid using technologies or development methods borrowed from Qualcomm’s 5G modems, which are currently used in the iPhone. The last thing Apple executives want is a legal dispute with the chipmaker over patent infringement.

It’s a fact that Apple will continue to use components developed by the San Diego firm until 2026. At least partially. However, everything suggests that there are problems in developing a 5G modem for the iPhone will delay its implementation in other products.

Tim Cook’s team intends to implement this component in the iPad and Apple Watch. But this will not happen until it is proven that it works correctly on a smartphone. Likewise, those on the block have an even more ambitious plan: integrate the modem into the SoC of your devices. Something that, given the panorama, will not happen anytime soon.