As expected, Apple unveiled a new model named after the iPhone SE series.iPhone 16eAt the same time, as the market speculated, this new phone is the first to use Apple's self-made 5G network data chip Apple C1, which means that the dependence on cooperation with Qualcomm will gradually decrease in the future.
Apple has previously announced plans to achieve self-sufficiency in products such as the iPhone, so the introduction of its first self-made 16G networking data chip in the iPhone 5e is obviously of great significance.
By first testing the entry-level iPhone 16e, Apple can also collect relevant feedback and prepare its own 5G network data chip before using it in the upcoming iPhone 17 series. If there is any problem, Apple can still maintain the original design of using Qualcomm to provide data chip products. After all, the cooperation agreement signed by the two parties later indicated that Qualcomm will provide 2027G data chip products before XNUMX.Continue to supply 5G network data chips to Apple.
As for Apple's 5G network data chip technology, it was acquired after acquiring Intel's mobile data chip business in 2019. Although there have been reports that Apple plans to launch its own 5G network data chip, the relevant progress has beenNo results yetTherefore, it subsequently signed several agreements with Qualcomm to extend chip supply cooperation.
However, if Apple's first self-made 5G network data chip Apple C1 receives positive feedback, it is expected that Apple will continue to use it in the iPhone 17 series models to be unveiled in the fall, and subsequent models are also expected to use Apple's self-made 5G network data chips, and are even expected to join the future 6G network technology competition.
As for such a development, will it be disadvantageous to Qualcomm?
From a revenue perspective, the lack of opportunities to cooperate with Apple to sell its 5G network data chips will obviously lead to a significant reduction in revenue performance. However, Qualcomm previously stated thatRelevant preparations have been madeEspecially since Qualcomm's current business has gradually shifted to the automotive system platform with higher revenue opportunities and the larger edge computing market, and it continues to expand cooperation with more Chinese brands in the mobile phone market. Therefore, if Apple terminates the cooperation in the future, the actual impact may still be within Qualcomm's control.
On the other hand, even if Apple no longer uses Qualcomm to provide 5G networking data chips, Qualcomm can still charge Apple royalties for related technology licenses (for example, CDMA, 3G, and 4G-related communication technology patents still inevitably require Qualcomm patent licenses). Therefore, Qualcomm is not overly concerned if Apple terminates the cooperation.
Furthermore, Qualcomm's years of experience in developing connected data chip technology indicate that, given the current complexity of wireless frequency bands and spectrum usage, Qualcomm is virtually the only provider of connected data chips capable of delivering superior connectivity performance. Therefore, even if Apple enters the 5G connected data chip market and even plans for the development of 6G connected technology, Qualcomm clearly remains confident in maintaining its technological advantage.
