Qualcomm expects that its contract with Apple will not be renewed.
Qualcomm’s CEO does not appear to be anxious about dropping one in all its largest clients 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 properly past the iPhone. Qualcomm’s plans are based mostly on the belief that Apple will proceed to make use of in-house modems going ahead, which means that the chipmaker must discover various avenues.
“That is our contract, you understand, 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 concerning the Apple relationship, which I feel shouldn’t be warranted, to be sincere.”
Amon’s remark about pointless drama is arguably ironic, partly due to a comparatively latest research, launched by Qualcomm in late Might 2025. The Qualcomm-funded research claimed Android telephones with Snapdragon modems outperformed the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem, although the comparability favored Qualcomm by design, in contrast to different checks.
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 assist for mmWave.
The modem can be set to look 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 beneath the impression that its Apple contract will not be renewed, which is a possible situation.
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 concerning 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 may do past telephone modems, Qualcomm is reportedly exploring the event of chips that will hook up 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 about 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.
