The chaos in the use of modems on the iPhone had occurred a few years ago, where Apple had a dispute with Qualcomm which ended with the use of modems made by Intel in several iPhone series.
But since April 2019, the problem was resolved after Apple and Qualcomm reconciled. But Apple also acquired Intel's modem business for $1 billion, including Intel's modem patents.
Now rumors are circulating that Apple will use a 5G modem that they designed themselves on the iPhone output 2023, possibly called the iPhone 15. The modem chip will be separate from the A17 Bionic system on a chip (SoC).
According to Nikkei Asia, Apple's decision to design its own 5G modem is to reduce their dependence on Qualcomm, whose modems are currently used in the existing line of iPhones.
Meanwhile, Qualcomm has confirmed that Apple will order a much smaller number of modems, and in 2023 it will decrease until the remaining 20% is left.
Whereas previously Apple was quite idolizing Qualcomm modems, to the point that they canceled their contract with Intel to produce 5G modems. The amount of money that Apple paid to Qualcomm to be able to order the modem was no joke.
Although not an official amount, the nominal is estimated to be in the range of USD 4.5 billion to USD 6 billion, which was paid as settlement money for legal disputes between the two companies. Apple reportedly did not believe in Intel's ability to develop a 5G modem at that time.
The Nikkei Asia report also stated that four people confirmed that the Apple-designed 5G modem will be produced by TSMC using the 4nm process. Then Apple is working on its own radio frequencies, including components for mmWave that will work with the modem chip.
In addition to the 5G modem chip, the 4nm process will also be used for Apple's 2022 SoC, the A16 Bionic, instead of using the 3nm process as previously reported.
Previously, TSMC did believe that its 3nm process could already be mass-operated in 2022. However, later they admitted that the 3nm process was too complicated and would delay its mass production at least until mid-2023.
