The hardware team at Apple is preparing a major change for future smartphones. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the tech brand expects to put its own custom cellular modems inside every single iPhone model released in 2027. This move would finally remove third-party network chips from the entire product lineup, completing a long transition that the firm started years ago to control its most important parts.
The current product lineup still relies on mixed network chips
Right now, the transition to custom networking hardware remains incomplete. While the standard iPhone 18 Pro and the new iPhone Duo use the custom C2 chip globally, there is a notable exception. Buyers of the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max are still getting devices equipped with the older Snapdragon X80 modem from Qualcomm.
Gurman points out that development delays and existing contracts forced the firm to stick with Qualcomm for that specific high-end model in the United States. The 2027 release cycle will finally end this split strategy. Having a single modem design across all regions simplifies manufacturing and allows the brand to integrate networking more closely with the main processor.
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A renewed patent agreement leaves room for custom hardware chips
This upcoming hardware shift lines up with a recent legal update. The smartphone maker recently renewed its global patent license with Qualcomm, which takes effect on April 1, 2027. This agreement covers basic royalties for cellular technology, but it does not force the company to buy physical modems from Qualcomm.
By moving all devices to its own hardware, the manufacturer can reduce costs and build new features that rely on tight hardware integration. Future models might see better battery life or faster connection speeds because the modem and the main chip will share a unified design. This step brings the firm closer to owning every major piece of silicon inside its pocket devices.
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