When it comes to nailing things in the tech industry, few companies have it down to a tee quite like Apple.
Although we're sure it's more complicated, it sometimes feels like Tim Cook releases a new iPhone on a yearly basis and watches the money flow in.
Despite vowing that our new phone will last years, how many are lured in by the latest model when Apple announces what's next.
Advert
We've seen a massive leap from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 16, and although the 15 can also make the most of the new Apple Intelligence, the 16 is the souped-up little sibling.
There's already talk about what the iPhone 17 will bring to the table (including a rumored iPhone 17 Air), but looking even further ahead, a new innovation is tipped to revolutionize the future of Apple tech as we know it.
According to Bloomberg, Apple has a three-stage plan to topple its long-term partner and current rival, Qualcomm Inc.
Advert
Apple plans to install its own 5G modem chips to replace Qualcomm components as early as next year, with sources claiming that the in-house modem system will debut alongside the updated iPhone SE.
The first generation of 5G modems will be followed by more that hope to overtake Qualcomm’s tech by 2027.
The three-stage plan starts with the iPhone SE 4 adding the 'Sinope' house modem, followed by a 'radical' redesign and installation of 'Ganymede' for the iPhone 17, then finally installing the modem in iPads, Macs, and (possibly) the struggling Vision Pro.
As Bloomberg notes, Apple had originally planned to launch its own 5G modem as early as 2021 but was hit by numerous setbacks.
Advert
Apple spent more than $1 billion to acquire Intel Corp.'s modem group, then went on to hire engineers from other companies.
There were early problems with prototypes being too large, requiring too much power, and running too hot. If that wasn't enough, there were reportedly internal concerns that Apple was simply trying to 'get back' at Qualcomm over a legal battle that went in the latter's favor.
Even though the first generation of 5G modems aren't expected to be anything too fancy and are apparently pretty basic when compared to the 5G Qualcomm chips, they at least use less power and supposedly have a more efficient network connection.
Advert
Things are expected to really ramp up with the second generation finding a home in the mythical iPhone 18 and high-end iPad's.
The real one you want to be looking out for is the release of the third generation that's codenamed 'Prometheus'. Hopefully on the way in 2027, this generation hopes to best Qualcomm with performance and satellite connectivity with some super-smart artificial intelligence.
As for why the 5G modem is being trialed on the SE 4 and not the higher end of model, Bloomberg suggests: "The company decided to start with lower-end products in part because a modem is a risky endeavor: If it doesn’t work properly, customers will suffer dropped calls and missed notifications. There’s little tolerance for that on Apple’s highest-end, $1,000-plus iPhones."
The big takeaway is that a fully mobile MacBook could finally be here. For those who already use their Mac as something of a portable office, Apple's in-house 5G modems could turn the tech industry on its head.