Apple Plans to Tap TSMC to Produce Its Own iPhone 5G Modems: Report

Apple is said to be planning to use TSMC's 4nm process node, which hasn't yet been deployed for any commercial product.

By ANI | Updated: 24 November 2021 17:35 IST

Apple Plans to Tap TSMC to Produce Its Own iPhone 5G Modems: Report

Apple's switch to modems of its own for its iPhone devices design is widely expected to happen in 2023

Highlights

Apple bought Intel's 5G modem division in 2019
TSMC is the manufacturer of all iPhone A-series processors
2022 iPhone SoCs will reportedly use TSMC's 4nm process

Apple is reportedly planning to partner with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. for the production of its own 5G modems for future iPhone devices.

According to Nikkei, Apple is said to be planning to use TSMC's 4nm process node, which hasn't yet been deployed for any commercial product; the modem is apparently being designed and tested at 5nm before moving to mass production in 2023 at 4nm.

Apple's switch to modems of its own design is widely expected to happen in 2023, and TSMC is the natural manufacturing partner.

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Qualcomm, which is the dominant player in the industry and produces modem components for the entire iPhone 13 lineup, recently said that it expects to account for just 20 per cent of iPhone modem orders in two years' time.

Apple bought Intel's 5G modem division in 2019, foreshadowing the eventual switch. Earlier that year Qualcomm and Apple agreed to end a costly modem technology patent dispute, with Qualcomm receiving more than $4 billion (roughly Rs. 29,750 crore) as part of the settlement.

TSMC is the manufacturer of all iPhone A-series processors and M1 systems-on-chip for Mac computers.

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There are hundreds of TSMC engineers based in Cupertino to work with Apple's chip development team.

2022 iPhone SoCs will reportedly use TSMC's 4nm process, and some iPad models are said to be adopting 3nm processors in 2023.

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iPhone 13

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Great performance
Versatile cameras
Sharp, bright display
Good battery life

Bad
Standard display refresh rate, intrusive notch
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 13 review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 15

Resolution 1170x2532 pixels

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