Apple self-developed 5G baseband chip exposure: TSMC 3nm process, first carried in the iPhone 16 series

CTOnews.com, March 6 (Xinhua)-- according to the Taiwan Industrial and Commercial Times, Apple's 5G modem (modem) chip, which has invested a lot of resources, is expected to be introduced into the iPhone 16 series of phones ahead of schedule next year.

Currently, the 5G modem chips used in Apple's iPhone are purchased from Qualcomm. CTOnews.com has reported that Qualcomm CEO Ammon recently said on MWC 2023 that Apple may carry homemade 5G modem chips in the iPhone 16 series, and TSMC is expected to take all 3nm wafer foundry orders.

Taiwan media pointed out that the supply chain manufacturer said that Apple's self-made 5G modem chip is codenamed Ibiza, which will use TSMC's 3nm process, and the supporting RF IC will use TSMC's 7nm process. At this stage, the industry is expected to introduce Apple's 2024 iPhone 16 series phones.

From this, it is estimated that TSMC will begin trial production for Apple as soon as the second half of this year, gradually increasing the number of films in the first half of next year.

In addition, the iPhone 14 launched by Apple in the second half of last year carries Qualcomm 5G modem chip X65 and is produced by Samsung 4nm process; the iPhone 15 to be launched in the second half of this year will carry Qualcomm's new generation 5G modem chip X70, which is expected to use TSMC 4nm process for production.

Related readings:

Qualcomm CEO Ammon: Apple is expected to launch its own 5G baseband next year.