TSMC expected to produce Apple's 5G iPhone modem in 2023

Apple will be leaning on its long-time chip partner TSMC for the production of its iPhone modem, a report claims, adding fuel to rumors that Apple will be using its own modem designs in its flagship product by 2023.

Apple has been rumored to be working on a modem for quite a while, to replace the Qualcomm component currently used in the iPhone. While speculation put forward the idea that it will be out by 2023, a report indicates that TSMC will be producing the part on Apple's behalf.

The modem will use TSMC's 4-nanometer technology, four people familiar with the initiative advised to Nikkei Asia. Rather than just the modem, the sources also claim Apple is working on other connected components, including radio frequency and millimeter wave parts that connect to the modem itself, as well as a power management chip just for the modem.

The report follows a November 16 claim by Qualcomm that it estimates it would only provide around 20% of the modems Apple would need for the iPhone in 2023. Qualcomm didn't state where it thought Apple would source other modems, but creating its own seems to be the most likely outcome.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also forecasted in May that Apple's first modem attempt could land as early as 2023.

Qualcomm is the current supplier of modems to Apple after reaching a modem licensing deal in April 2019, ending a major patent licensing trial. The deal also included a multi-year chipset supply agreement and a six-year license agreement.

In July 2019, after Intel signaled its exit from the modem business, Apple signed a billion-dollar deal to acquire related assets, including patents, IP, and key personnel. The purchase effectively handed Apple everything it needed to create its own 5G modems.

10 Comments

melgross 33607 comments · 20 Years

About 2 years ago

It had better be a damn good modem, or Apple will be crucified over it.

MplsP 4021 comments · 8 Years

melgross said:

It had better be a damn good modem, or Apple will be crucified over it.

Agreed. Part of me wishes Apple would have stuck it to QC rather than settling, but at the time the settlement seemed to be the smartest business move. The thing is, QC does make good modems. They may be expensive or have crooked business practices but in the end, the consumer cares about function so if Apple comes out with a modem that is significantly worse, no one will be happy.

Intel tried and failed. (of course Intel hasn't exactly been wowing with anything lately.) Ideally, Apple will have a modem that's on par with QC and that they can integrate into their chips, maximizing power efficiency and manufacturing efficiency - I hope they succeed.

techconc 275 comments · 7 Years

MplsP said:

melgross said:

It had better be a damn good modem, or Apple will be crucified over it.

Agreed. Part of me wishes Apple would have stuck it to QC rather than settling, but at the time the settlement seemed to be the smartest business move. The thing is, QC does make good modems. They may be expensive or have crooked business practices but in the end, the consumer cares about function so if Apple comes out with a modem that is significantly worse, no one will be happy.

Intel tried and failed. (of course Intel hasn't exactly been wowing with anything lately.) Ideally, Apple will have a modem that's on par with QC and that they can integrate into their chips, maximizing power efficiency and manufacturing efficiency - I hope they succeed.

Apple knows they need to meet or exceed what Qualcomm can do in order to satisfy their customer base. I'd expect this to be a big talking point when they role this out and I expect they'd have competitive features to brag about. QC does indeed make great modems. However, Apple's chip design team is also best in class, so even Apple's first effort is likely to be better than most expect. Another advantage Apple has is that they get access to TSMC's more advanced process before Qualcomm does due to Apple's larger capital investments, etc.

leavingthebigg 1291 comments · 11 Years

melgross said:

It had better be a damn good modem, or Apple will be crucified over it.

Apple will be crucified no matter what. As usual the crucifiers will not withhold their money from Apple though. The crucifiers will not admit to buying the devices that contain the subpar 5G modem. So, let the crucifiers start their engines.

avon b7 8008 comments · 20 Years

techconc said:

MplsP said:

melgross said:

It had better be a damn good modem, or Apple will be crucified over it.

Agreed. Part of me wishes Apple would have stuck it to QC rather than settling, but at the time the settlement seemed to be the smartest business move. The thing is, QC does make good modems. They may be expensive or have crooked business practices but in the end, the consumer cares about function so if Apple comes out with a modem that is significantly worse, no one will be happy.

Intel tried and failed. (of course Intel hasn't exactly been wowing with anything lately.) Ideally, Apple will have a modem that's on par with QC and that they can integrate into their chips, maximizing power efficiency and manufacturing efficiency - I hope they succeed.

Apple knows they need to meet or exceed what Qualcomm can do in order to satisfy their customer base. I'd expect this to be a big talking point when they role this out and I expect they'd have competitive features to brag about. QC does indeed make great modems. However, Apple's chip design team is also best in class, so even Apple's first effort is likely to be better than most expect. Another advantage Apple has is that they get access to TSMC's more advanced process before Qualcomm does due to Apple's larger capital investments, etc.

It would be better to keep expectations low. Meeting or exceeding what more established players might achieve in their fourth or fifth generation products could be asking too much.

Apple isn't the only best in class chip designer out there and they are competing with companies like Qualcomm and Huawei which have decades of accumulated R&D and knowhow in modems, antenna designs and were architects in the core technologies behind 5G.

Just having an own brand offering will suffice and if it isn't the best or equal best out there, few people will change their purchase plans for that alone.