Apple's Silicon Revolution: The Quest for In-House Modem Supremacy

Apple's Quest for In-House Silicon

Transition from Intel to Apple Silicon

• 2020: Apple announced the transition of Macs to Apple Silicon, successfully replacing Intel processors within three years. The new chips are faster and more efficient.

Replacing Qualcomm Modems

• C1 Modem: Debuted in iPhone 16e, focusing on efficiency rather than top performance. It lacks support for 5G mmWave but is highly power-efficient, making it suitable for devices like the iPhone 17 Air.
• C2 Modem (Codename: Ganymede): Expected in iPhone 18 lineup (2026) and iPad models (2027). It will match Qualcomm's current modems with features like mmWave support, 6 Gbps download speeds, and advanced carrier aggregation.
• C3 Modem (Codename: Prometheus): Planned for the iPhone 19 lineup (2027), aiming to surpass Qualcomm in performance and AI capabilities, while supporting next-generation satellite networks.

Additional Plans

• Cellular Support for MacBooks: Potential integration by 2026.
• Proxima Networking Chip: Expected to debut this year in HomePod mini, Apple TV, and possibly the entire iPhone 17 lineup. It will support Wi-Fi 6E and could serve as a Wi-Fi router.

Future Integration

• Modem Integration with Main Chipset: Apple is considering integrating cellular modems directly into the main Apple Silicon chip by 2028, aiming for cost and efficiency benefits.