The iPhone 15 rumors are still very early days — what happened with the launch of the iPhone 14 only last month — but we’re starting to hear some whispers about what to expect next year. The latest prediction of note concerns the 5G modem inside the iPhone 15.
According to industry analyst Jeff Boe (via MacRumors (Opens in a new tab)), Apple is set to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 to boost 5G capabilities, starting with the Snapdragon X65 found in the current iPhone 14 lineup.
The upgraded chip offers lower latency, consumes less power, and comes with a host of AI improvements that should mean better speeds and more reliable coverage regardless of the phone’s location.
Apple modem plans
There is a subplot here, which is that Apple is known to develop its own 5G modem, in the same way that it develops its own processors for the iPhone. Bo thinks Apple’s 5G chip is still a long way off.
Apple will also commit to Qualcomm to meet 5G modem needs in the iPhone 16 scheduled for 2024, Pu says. This should be the Snapdragon X75, although we haven’t heard anything about it at the moment.
Then we might see a phone in 2025 with a whole bunch of Apple-made chips inside – so keep in mind that these are the first rumors about the iPhone 17 as well. We will of course keep you updated with all the iPhone leaks and rumors in the meantime.
Analysis: Apple wants full control
Apple clearly likes to have as much control over the hardware components that go into its devices: after making chips for iPhones and iPads for years, it’s now switching its Macs to Apple-made silicon, too.
The 5G modem inside the iPhone is one of the few components still made by a third party, but there’s no doubt Apple wants to change that — which is why it’s spending so much money buying Intel’s 5G modem business in 2019.
For whatever reason, the switching process is taking longer than expected. There has been some speculation that an Apple 5G chip could appear in 2023, but that now seems less likely.
This will eventually happen, and Apple hopes that by being responsible for all of its hardware and software development, it can make the products run more efficiently and smoothly.