iPhone 18 Pro Max Still Uses a Qualcomm Modem in the US, Teardown Confirms

The iPhone 18 Pro Max sold in the United States still uses a Qualcomm modem, according to one of the first in-depth teardowns published by TechInsights. This means that, despite years of internal development, Apple has not managed to replace Qualcomm in its flagship model for the US market.

Context: the long modem war

Ever since Apple acquired Intel's modem division in 2019, speculation mounted that the company would develop its own 5G modem to end its reliance on Qualcomm. However, delays have been constant, and supply agreements have been extended far beyond initial expectations. The transition to an in-house modem has become one of Apple's most complex and discreet projects.

Teardown details

TechInsights, a firm specializing in semiconductor analysis, has published one of the first teardowns of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. It clearly shows a Qualcomm modem in the US version of the device. Although the exact model isn't specified, it's likely a chip from the Snapdragon X series or similar, integrated alongside the rest of the RF components. The teardown also confirms the presence of other usual components, but the focus is on the modem, which remains a Qualcomm part.

Analysis: who wins and who loses?

Qualcomm keeps winning: it retains a lucrative contract with Apple and proves that its technology is still hard to replace. Apple, on the other hand, misses the chance to boast full vertical integration and cut costs. For users, the difference is practically imperceptible in daily use, but the fact that Apple hasn't been able to break free in this key component says a lot about the complexity of 5G.

Implications: what comes next?

Apple is expected to continue working on its own modem for future generations, but the timeline has become uncertain. Meanwhile, Qualcomm will keep supplying modems to Apple at least until 2026 or 2027, according to known agreements. This also affects the competition: other Android manufacturers using Qualcomm might see Apple still depending on the same technology, reinforcing Qualcomm's position in the 5G modem market.

In short, the iPhone 18 Pro Max teardown makes it clear that Apple's modem independence is not yet a reality, and Qualcomm will remain a key partner for some time.

Source: 9to5Mac