Apple to ditch Qualcomm’s 5G modem in 2023 iPhone series

In the mid-2010s, Apple and Qualcomm were involved in a bitter battle over royalty for modems and elated technology patents in iPhones. However, in a surprise move, Apple and Qualcomm dropped all litigations against each other in 2019 and signed a major deal including a six-year license agreement with Qualcomm, effective from April 1, 2019. It also had clause for a two-year option to extend, and a multi-year chipset supply agreement.

But, within a few months, Apple announced to buy a majority stake of Intel’s smartphone modem division for $1 billion, hinting that the Cupertino-based company would design and produce its own mobile modem silicon and end dependence on Qualcomm.