Apple's Custom 5G Modem Chip Nears Production

In Episode 135 of Mac and Apple with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna dive into Apple's long-rumored custom 5G modem chip. A recent supply chain report suggests the modem is finally entering mass production in early 2027, after years of delays and billions in R&D. Lucas breaks down the history—from the Intel modem division acquisition in 2019 to the technical hurdles that pushed back deployment. They discuss how the chip could improve battery life, enable smaller designs, and reduce Apple's reliance on Qualcomm, which currently supplies modem chips for iPhones. Luna asks about the impact on Qualcomm's business, potential performance trade-offs with the first-generation modem, and what features like satellite connectivity might become possible. The conversation includes a brief listener-support tangent about keeping the show ad-free. A focused, data-rich look at one of Apple's most critical in-house chip projects. #Apple #5GModem #Qualcomm #ChipDesign #SupplyChain #iPhone #Technology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Intel #Semiconductors #Wireless #CarrierCertification #mmWave #SatelliteConnectivity #BatteryLife #Hardware #Engineering Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo