Apple managed to rely on Qualcomm’s know-how for another year before releasing its own chip to the public.
Apple plans to release the iPhone 15 in September 2023. This new phone should be entitled to several major changes, starting with the exterior design. At the heart of the product, analysts are the least optimistic about possible nuances. Today, the Apple brand phone has a 5G modem produced by Qualcomm.
According to information from DigiTimes, this will still be the case in 2023 with the iPhone 15. Apple and its Californian neighbor Qualcomm signed a partnership agreement more than two years ago to avoid a long legal procedure. Qualcomm becomes Apple’s exclusive supplier. Meanwhile, the apple brand is developing its own solution.
iPhone 15: Apple still needs Qualcomm
But setting up a 5G modem is not easy, and the Cupertino company is encountering several technical difficulties. On the other side of the scale, the performance reduced by Qualcomm’s chips is more than enough, and Apple is very happy with that. The iPhone 14, the brand’s latest, uses a Snapdragon X65.
The modem increases the speed of 5Ge. The iPhone 15, whose arrival is still scheduled for next September, should be entitled to X70 instead. The latter, more powerful, will be designed by TSMC according to a 4 nm architecture (against 5 currently). This change should increase the power of the chip by 60% according to DigiTimes.
Rumors initially suggested that Apple was going to offer its 5G chips in the iPhone 15 in 2023, but sources close to the Apple brand assure today that the latter has failed in the development of its chip. Apple took more than 10 years to develop an M1 chip that will revolutionize the computer market, it will not produce an overpowered modem for its iPhone in a few months.
Apple takes its time, Qualcomm progresses
Development takes time, and during this period of research, Qualcomm continues to work on a better product year after year. In addition to a new 5G modem, the iPhone 15 should be entitled to several new features. The main development compared to 2022 will be the arrival of a USB-C charging port, wanted by the European Commission.
The Dynamic Island function, currently reserved for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, should extend to the four iPhone 15 models next year. An iPhone 15 Ultra is also planned for Apple Park, but little information has been released about it yet. It should be the replacement for the iPhone 14 Pro Max.