# Qualcomm and Apple modem and licensing relationship

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/qualcomm-and-apple-modem-and-licensing-relationship
> Updated: 2026-09-28T17:16:36.000Z. Sources: 32. Developments: 3.

Qualcomm is experiencing shifts in its business model as its major customer, Apple, transitions toward developing in-house mobile modems. This move contributed to a roughly 20% drop in Qualcomm’s smartphone chip revenue between April and June. 

While Apple has been aggressively developing its own in-house cellular modems—such as the C1, C1X, and C2 series—it is expected to transition all new iPhone models to its own hardware by 2027, effectively removing Qualcomm hardware from the devices. This follows an eight-year development effort involving tens of billions of dollars in investment. Currently, the iPhone lineup uses a mix of technologies; while newer models like the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo utilize Apple's C2 modem, some versions, such as the U.S. model of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, still contain Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem due to development delays and existing contract obligations.

Despite the competition from Apple’s internal hardware development, the two companies have extended their global patent licensing agreement. Announced in September 2026, this new deal is set to take effect on April 1, 2027. The agreement focuses on intellectual property and patent licensing for cellular and connectivity technologies, which is distinct from the supply of physical modem hardware. Because the agreement covers standard-essential patents (SEPs), Apple will continue to pay Qualcomm royalties to ensure device compatibility with global mobile networks. This framework provides Qualcomm’s Technology Licensing (QTL) division with a stable revenue stream even as Apple reduces its reliance on Qualcomm’s physical chipsets.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-28: Apple expected to replace Qualcomm modems in all iPhones by 2027

Apple is expected to replace Qualcomm hardware with its own in-house modems in all iPhones by 2027, supported by a renewed global patent licensing agreement between the two companies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-expected-to-replace-qualcomm-modems-in-all-iphones-by-2027

### 2026-09-24: Qualcomm and Apple renew global patent licensing agreement

Qualcomm and Apple have renewed their global patent licensing agreement, effective April 1, 2027, ensuring Apple maintains access to essential cellular technology patents.

22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/qualcomm-and-apple-extend-global-patent-licensing-agreement

### 2026-09-13: Qualcomm faces revenue shifts as Apple develops in-house modems

Apple is reducing its reliance on Qualcomm by developing in-house modems, causing a 20% drop in Qualcomm's smartphone chip revenue, though US iPhone models may still use Qualcomm hardware.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/qualcomm-faces-revenue-shifts-as-apple-develops-in-house-modems

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