Tech giant Apple took steps towards becoming self-dependent when it came to the chip powering its MacBooks some time back, with its M1 chips. Now, the company is said to be working on developing its own modem chip, for which it still relies on other third-party chips. Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had earlier claimed that such a modem chip could see the light of day by 2023 and a new report by Nikkei Asia corroborates the claim made by the tech analyst.
As per the report, Apple is looking to have a closer partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. for the same, which would help make the company lean less on the shoulders of Qualcomm. The partnership with the Taiwanese chipmaker could see 5G iPhone modems being produced from 2023, says the report.
“Apple plans to adopt TSMC’s 4-nanometer chip production technology to mass produce its first in-house 5G modem chip, four people familiar with the matter said, adding that the iPhone maker is developing its own radio frequency and millimetre wave components to complement the modem. Apple is also working on its own power management chip specifically for the modem, two people briefed on the matter said […]”, said the report.
Apple is using TSMC’s 5-nm chip production to design and test-produce the 5G modem for the iPhone and once the objective is attained, the company will move on a 4nm process to mass-produce the chips, said the report, based on inputs from sources.
Seems like the company is driven towards making it an all Apple show with indigenous device components, which is sure to make its relationships with Qualcomm sour.
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