Despite developing its own cellular modems, Apple continues to rely heavily on Qualcomm for critical components across its product lines, including iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. Recent reports indicate that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro may feature a Qualcomm modem in the United States, while using an Apple-designed C2 modem internationally.

Apple's relationship with Qualcomm dates back to the iPhone 4 in 2011, initially driven by the need for CDMA support. Over the years, Apple has alternated between Qualcomm and Intel modems, with a notable return to Qualcomm for the iPhone 12 series and subsequent models like the iPhone 15 and 16 ranges. However, Apple's in-house C1 and C1X modems, introduced in models like the iPhone 16e and iPhone 17e, offer improved battery life but lack mmWave capabilities.

This ongoing dependency on Qualcomm, particularly for mmWave 5G support in premium iPhone models, suggests that Apple's transition to fully in-house cellular hardware is a gradual process. The company's strategy appears to involve phasing out Qualcomm modems as its own C-series technology matures and incorporates advanced features like mmWave, impacting the supply chain dynamics between the two tech giants.