Qualcomm’s CEO, Cristiano Amon, appears unfazed by Apple transitioning to its in-house modem, the C1, for future iPhones. For over 15 years, Qualcomm’s modem chips have been crucial in enabling iPhones to connect to cellular networks.
It is estimated that in 2024 alone, Apple spent more than $2.5 billion on Qualcomm’s patent licenses, with Qualcomm’s annual revenue from Apple’s modems ranging between $5.7 billion and $5.9 billion. In a recent appearance on Yahoo Finance, Amon discussed Qualcomm’s strategy amid Apple’s shift to internal modem designs.
He explained that the company is preparing to diversify beyond its reliance on the iPhone, as they expect Apple to continue using its own modems in the future. Amon downplayed concerns surrounding their relationship with Apple, stating, “That’s our contract, and if we don’t get a new contract, that’s what it is.”
Interestingly, Amon’s dismissal of any drama suggests a level of irony, considering a Qualcomm-funded study released in May 2025 that claimed Snapdragon modems outperformed Apple’s C1 modem. However, it is noteworthy that this comparison was tailored to favor Qualcomm.
Apple unveiled its C1 modem alongside the iPhone 16e in February 2025, promoting improvements in power efficiency, albeit without support for mmWave technology. The C1 is set to feature in the upcoming iPhone 17 Air as well, while other models will still utilize Qualcomm modems, as their contract is effective until March 2027.
Despite the impending expiration of the contract, Amon highlighted that Qualcomm’s business with Android devices is thriving. He noted the company is exploring new markets, including potential chip development for Nvidia’s AI processors, while continuing to acknowledge their diminishing reliance on Apple as a core customer.
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