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Dal 2027 Apple punta a sostituire i modem Qualcomm con una soluzione proprietaria negli iPhone. Una svolta che ridisegna la filiera e promette più controllo: ma quali vantaggi concreti porterà agli utenti?
Apple will stop using Qualcomm modems in every iPhone model starting in 2027, marking the end of a supply relationship that began with the first iPhone. The decision follows an eight?year internal development program that has cost Apple tens of billions of dollars and is confirmed by the separate renewal of the two companies global patent license agreement. While the switch will make Apple the sole provider of its smartphones cellular hardware, the change does not automatically guarantee better performance for buyers. Qualcomm meanwhile is already offsetting the loss with a $60?billion multi?year deal with Amazon for custom chips and optical connectivity.
The 2027 deadline and the current landscape
According to Apples internal roadmap, every iPhone released from 2027 onward will integrate the companys own C2 modem, a component that has been developed in parallel with the A?17 and A?18 system?on?chips. In 2026 the transition is still incomplete: the U.S. version of iPhone 18 Pro Max continues to use Qualcomms Snapdragon X80 modem because development delays forced Apple to extend existing supply contracts. The same model sold outside the United States already relies on the C2 modem, showing the uneven rollout of the new technology across markets.
What Apples modem means for users
Apples C2 modem is designed to match the performance envelope of Qualcomms latest Snapdragon X80 while offering tighter integration with the A?17 processor and the iPhones power management system. Independent tests conducted on early production units report peak download speeds of 3.8?Gbps and upload speeds of 2.5?Gbps, comparable to Qualcomms figures on paper. The real advantage is expected to appear in battery efficiency: Apple claims the integrated modem reduces power draw by up to 15?percent compared with the separate component used in previous models. Coverage should remain consistent because the modem supports the same global bands as Qualcomms solution, but users will need to verify actual performance in everyday conditions before judging the benefit of the switch.
Qualcomms exposure and the supply chain shift
The loss of Apple as a customer represents a significant revenue hit for Qualcomm. Financial statements show a projected 50?percent decline in Applerelated revenue between September and December 2026, equivalent to roughly $3?billion in quarterly sales. Qualcomms response includes the recently announced Amazon agreement worth up to $60?billion over ten years, covering custom silicon and optical connectivity for data?center applications. Analysts interpret the deal as a strategic pivot rather than a complete replacement, noting that Qualcomms QCT segment grew from $30.38?billion in fiscal 2023 to $38.37?billion in fiscal 2025, while the licensing branch remained stable around $5.5?billion. The patent license extension signed on September 24 ensures that royalty income from Apple will continue even after modem supply ends, separating the two business lines.
Control versus benefit: what buyers should expect
Apple gains full control over a critical component of its ecosystem, allowing tighter software?hardware coordination and eliminating reliance on an external supplier. For consumers, the advantage will depend on how the C2 modem performs in real?world scenarios such as:
- crowded urban areas,
- indoor coverage,
- and battery life during heavy data use.
Until independent benchmarks confirm the promised efficiency gains, buyers should evaluate the switch as a strategic move by Apple rather than an automatic upgrade in user experience.
Leggi anche: Apple modem Qualcomm 2027: addio definitivo su tutti gli iPhone