Apple faces delays in custom modem development, sticks with Qualcomm until 2025

CUPERTINO – Apple Inc (NASDAQ:). has encountered significant delays in the development of its own 5G modems, which means the tech giant will continue to depend on Qualcomm (NASDAQ:) Inc. for its modem needs until late 2025 or possibly into early 2026. Despite the postponement, Apple’s strategy remains focused on eventually incorporating these custom modems into future iPhones before expanding to other devices.

The internal development of custom 5G modems by Apple is a part of the company’s broader goal to take greater control over its hardware components, which is expected to improve profit margins and reduce reliance on third-party suppliers. However, this ambition has hit a snag as the anticipated launch for the modems in iPhones will not happen before late 2025.

According to Bloomberg, after the debut of these modems in iPhones, it may take an additional two to three years before they are fully integrated into other products such as iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs. During this transition period, Qualcomm is set to remain a key supplier for Apple and may impose additional charges once their current agreement expires.

Apple is also working on proprietary Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chips aimed at decreasing its dependency on Broadcom (NASDAQ:). However, like its modem development, these efforts have faced setbacks. The integration of custom modems into system-on-a-chip configurations is part of Apple’s long-term plan to enhance its product lineup and profitability.

As Apple navigates through these developmental challenges, it underscores the complexities involved in innovating and producing cutting-edge technology components in-house. The company’s continued partnership with Qualcomm ensures that Apple can maintain the supply of critical components for its devices while it works towards self-sufficiency in modem production.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of the current situation, it’s essential to consider some real-time data and tips from InvestingPro. Apple’s market capitalization stands at a staggering $2950B, and its P/E ratio is 30.82 as of the last twelve months of Q4 2023. The company’s revenue during the same period was $383.29B, though it experienced a slight decline of -2.8%.

InvestingPro Tips for Apple highlight that the company has a high earnings quality, with its free cash flow exceeding net income. Additionally, Apple’s strong earnings should allow management to continue their streak of dividend payments, which they have consistently raised for 12 consecutive years.

On the other hand, Qualcomm, which will continue to be a key supplier for Apple, has a market cap of $144.1B, and its P/E ratio stands at 20.01. Its revenue for the last twelve months of Q4 2023 was $35.82B, experiencing a decline of -18.96%.

InvestingPro Tips for Qualcomm indicate that the company yields a high return on invested capital and has maintained its dividend payments for 21 consecutive years, which is a testament to its stability.

To gain access to more of such valuable tips, consider subscribing to InvestingPro, which is currently offering a special Black Friday sale with a discount of up to 55%. There are 22 additional tips for Apple and 16 for Qualcomm that could provide further insights into these companies’ financial health.

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