Apple has announced a new agreement with Qualcomm that will see them continue to use Qualcomm 5G modems for the next three years. This agreement covers iPhone launches in 2024, 2025, and 2026, extending their partnership beyond the previous expiration date.

There were previous reports suggesting that Apple would transition to their own in-house 5G modem solution by 2025. However, this new agreement indicates that Apple will still rely on Qualcomm for their 5G modem needs.

Apple is Qualcomm’s largest client, accounting for nearly a quarter of the chipmaker’s revenue. While Apple has been actively working on developing its own 5G modem, there have been legal issues concerning patents owned by Qualcomm that are set to expire in 2029 and 2030.

Apple’s goal is to create its own 5G modem that can be integrated into its A-series System on a Chip (SoC). This would provide a single-chip solution with significant benefits in terms of battery life and performance.

With this extended agreement, Apple and Qualcomm will continue their collaboration in the 5G space for the next few years. This ensures that Apple can deliver 5G capabilities in their future iPhone models while benefiting from Qualcomm’s expertise in modem technology.