You dreamed of it ? Apple would finally consider the 5G MacBook

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Today, iPhones use 5G modems designed by Qualcomm to connect to mobile networks. In 2019, the Cupertino firm ended the conflict with this supplier to be able to use its 5G chips. The deal was then renewed in 2023, allowing Apple to continue sourcing Qualcomm’s 5G chips until 2026. But in parallel, Apple is also developing its own 5G modems.

Apple has made significant investments to no longer depend on Qualcomm. The latter even bought a branch of Intel specializing in smartphone modems for $1 billion in 2019. Apple engineers had a lot of trouble developing a 5G modem. But according to a recent article from Bloomberg, the company has finally managed to overcome these difficulties and is now ready to equip certain products with modems designed in-house instead of those from Qualcomm.

Indeed, starting next year, Apple would equip the new iPhone SE with Apple modems. And this component would also equip the future iPhone 17 Air. Indeed, in addition to the fact that its modem allows it to be less dependent on Qualcomm, the component would also take up less space. And as a result, it would help make the iPhone 17 Air thinner than other iPhones. But that's not all, since according to the Bloomberg article, Apple would now be considering using its modem to connect other products to 5G. And among these products, there would be MacBooks, as well as future mixed reality products.

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The 5G MacBook would be considered, but not immediately

MacBooks would be even more practical with a 5G modem, since they could connect to the internet without Wi-Fi. However, it is likely that we will have to wait a little longer before seeing this product arrive. Bloomberg explains that, if the 5G MacBook is being considered by Apple, it would certainly not arrive before 2026. Indeed, Apple would wait to have an improved version of its 5G modem, before offering it on MacBooks.

Compared to the modems provided by Qualcomm, Apple's could be less efficient. For example, it is rumored that the first version would not have support for mmWave technology, which allows for better connection speeds. This is why the firm would have decided to use its own 5G modem on the iPhone SE 2025, initially. Otherwise, on the iPhone 17 Air, this component would be of interest since it would contribute to making this model thinner.

• Currently, iPhones use 5G modems designed by Qualcomm
• Apple had to bury the hatchet with Qualcomm in order to be able to use this supplier's 5G modems
• But at the same time, Apple is developing its own modems
• And according to a Bloomberg article, the Cupertino firm would intend to equip the iPhone SE 2025 and the iPhone 17 Air with its 5G modem
• It would also consider bringing 5G to MacBooks and mixed reality products
• However, the 5G MacBook would not arrive before 2026, because Apple would wait to have an improved version of its 5G modem before offering it on MacBooks

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