Apple May Soon Integrate Its In-house 5G Modems Into MacBooks

Apple is advancing its in-house modem technology, with reports suggesting that future MacBooks may include integrated 5G connectivity. The iPhone 16e marked a milestone as the first Apple device to feature a custom-built modem, and the company is now working on future versions to enhance efficiency and performance.

According to Mark Gurman (Bloomberg), Apple is currently testing the C2 modem and developing the C3 modem, expected to be integrated into the A19 Pro chip by 2027. By this time, Apple aims to surpass the performance of Qualcomm’s modems, which it has relied on until now.

This aligns with a MacRumors report stating that the C2 modem is being tested for the iPhone 18 Pro. However, Gurman suggests that Apple plans to go further by integrating modems into MacBook chips, allowing future laptops to support 5G connectivity.

Johny Srouji, Apple’s chip manufacturing chief, hinted at this development in an interview with Reuters, stating that the C1 modem is just the beginning, and the company plans to continuously improve the technology for future devices. Despite this progress, Apple still relies on Qualcomm modems, having signed a supply contract until 2027 to allow time for improvements. Currently, the Apple C1 modem has lower 5G speeds and lacks support for high-performance mmWave networks.

While a fully Apple-powered 5G ecosystem across iPhones and MacBooks may take years to materialize, these developments indicate Apple’s long-term goal of reducing dependency on third-party suppliers and enhancing device connectivity.

Filed in Apple >Computers >Rumors. Read more about Apple, Macbook and Macbook Pro.