Apple’s 5G modem prototypes are said to be three years behind Qualcomm’s best chip, according to WSJ.

Apple's 5G modem prototypes are said to be three years behind Qualcomm's best chip, according to WSJ.

Apple’s Struggles in Developing its Own Modem Chip

In recent years, Apple has made significant efforts to develop its own modem chip, with the aim of replacing the Qualcomm modem chips it currently uses in iPhones. However, a recent report from the Wall Street Journal suggests that Apple’s approach to this project has been met with a series of challenges, unrealistic goals, and ultimately, unusable prototypes.

To embark on this venture, Apple hired thousands of engineers, including the acquisition of the majority of Intel’s smartphone modem business. With a team consisting of Intel engineers and professionals hired from Qualcomm, Apple executives set an ambitious goal of having the modem chip ready for fall 2023. The project was codenamed Sinope, after the nymph in Greek mythology who outsmarted Zeus.

However, it soon became apparent that meeting this goal was nearly impossible. Former engineers and executives familiar with the project revealed that the obstacles were largely of Apple’s own making. Technical challenges, poor communication, and disagreements among managers on the feasibility of designing chips rather than purchasing them hindered the progress of the teams.

A major setback was discovered during tests conducted last year. The chip was found to be slow and prone to overheating. Furthermore, its circuit board was too large, taking up half of an iPhone’s space, rendering it completely unusable. This setback shed light on the siloed nature of the project, as teams were segregated across different locations without a global leader. Additionally, some managers discouraged engineers from sharing negative news about delays or setbacks, leading to unrealistic goals and missed deadlines.

Former Apple wireless director Jaydeep Ranade, who left the company in 2018, made a poignant remark on the situation, saying, “Just because Apple builds the best silicon on the planet, it’s ridiculous to think that they could also build a modem.”

Apple’s confidence in its ability to design its own microprocessors for iPhones and iPads influenced their belief that they could also successfully design modem chips. However, modem chips are considerably more challenging due to their role in transmitting and receiving wireless data from various networks while adhering to strict connectivity standards required by wireless carriers worldwide.

It appears that Apple executives only fully grasped the complexity of the project after testing their prototypes late last year. The results were disheartening, as the chips were found to be three years behind Qualcomm’s best modem chips. In addition, using Apple’s own modem chips would have resulted in slower iPhone wireless speeds compared to its competitors.

Consequently, Apple was compelled to settle its lawsuit with Qualcomm and has since utilized Qualcomm’s 5G modem chips for its latest iPhone and iPad lineups. The report states that it may not be until 2025 that Apple’s technology is advanced enough to phase out Qualcomm entirely.

“These delays indicate Apple didn’t anticipate the complexity of the effort,” said Serge Willenegger, a former Qualcomm executive. “Cellular is a monster.” Highlighting the significance of Apple’s setback, the company recently extended its agreement to obtain modems from Qualcomm for three more years.

In summary, Apple’s attempt to develop its own modem chips has been met with substantial challenges and setbacks. While Apple’s expertise in designing its own microprocessors has been successful, modem chips pose a significantly greater challenge due to their importance in wireless connectivity and adherence to strict standards. Despite the setbacks, it remains to be seen whether Apple will eventually overcome these obstacles and achieve its goal of designing its own modem chips.