Why Apple’s 5G problem may be legal and not technical

There were reports recently that Apple’s plan to design its own 5G modem chip for the iPhone have failed. These reports quoted the most-popular Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo who said that the company’s plan to equip 80% of its 2023 handsets with an Apple 5G modem chip have not worked. “My latest survey indicates that Apple’s own iPhone 5G modem chip development may have failed, so Qualcomm will remain exclusive supplier for 5G chips of 2H23 new iPhones, with a 100% supply share (vs. company’s previous estimate of 20%),” said Kuo. He put ‘development failure’ as the reason.
However, a new report in 9to5Mac claims that the problem is not technical – but legal. Apple’s inability to make 5G modem chips reportedly has its origin in its patent battle with Qualcomm.. Apple reportedly needs to invalidate two Qualcomm patents to design its own 5G modem chips. According to Patently Apple, the Cupertino giant’s bid to make 5G modems will infringe on two Qualcomm patents. The report links Foss Patents analysis that supports this interpretation. It further goes on to suggest that Qualcomm will sue Apple if it goes that path, but may also win quite easily.