Qualcomm expects that its contract with Apple will not be renewed.
Qualcomm’s CEO would not appear to be apprehensive about shedding one in all its greatest prospects as Apple shifts to in-house modems just like the C1 for iPhone.
For over 15 years, Qualcomm’s modem chips powered Apple’s iPhones, enabling wi-fi connectivity to mobile networks. Analysts estimated that Apple paid over $2.5 billion in 2024 alone for Qualcomm’s patent licenses, whereas the corporate’s annual modem income from Apple is alleged to be between $5.7 billion and $5.9 billion.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, in an look on Yahoo Finance‘s Opening Bid podcast, noticed by 9to5mac, revealed that the modem firm is ready to look effectively past the iPhone. Qualcomm’s plans are primarily based on the belief that Apple will proceed to make use of in-house modems going ahead, that means that the chipmaker should discover different avenues.
“That is our contract, you already know, and if we do not get a brand new contract, that is what it’s,” defined the Qualcomm CEO. “And there is a lot drama and affiliation in regards to the Apple relationship, which I feel just isn’t warranted, to be sincere.”
Amon’s remark about pointless drama is arguably ironic, partly due to a comparatively latest examine, launched by Qualcomm in late Could 2025. The Qualcomm-funded examine claimed Android telephones with Snapdragon modems outperformed the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem, although the comparability favored Qualcomm by design, in contrast to different assessments.
Apple revealed the C1 modem in February 2025 with the discharge of the iPhone 16e. The brand new Apple-designed modem enabled higher energy effectivity, though it lacks help for mmWave.
The modem can also be set to seem on the iPhone 17 Air in 2025, however different iPhones will proceed to make use of Qualcomm modems as the 2 firms have a contract till March 2027. Qualcomm is underneath the impression that its Apple contract will not be renewed, which is a probable state of affairs.
Nonetheless, the Qualcomm CEO tried to downplay the corporate’s relationship with Apple, saying that Qualcomm has seen success with its modems on Android telephones.
“We’re planning our enterprise assuming that they will use their very own modem,” stated Amon. “And what’s thrilling in regards to the firm is all of this progress that we’re creating, all of these different markets, together with on Android.”
Amon stated that Qualcomm’s Android enterprise has “continued to develop.” As for what the corporate might do past telephone modems, Qualcomm is reportedly exploring the event of chips that might connect with Nvidia’s AI processors, amongst different initiatives.
These endeavors, understandably, will not have any affect on future iPhone fashions. Qualcomm’s contract with Apple is ready to run out in 2027, and Apple is already stated to be working on an improved C1 and even a C2 modem, and there have even been rumors of a modem-equipped MacBook Professional.
