This morning, Bloomberg reported on Apple’s long-term strategy to move away from Qualcomm and introduce its proprietary modem technology for the iPhone and iPad.
Later today, Bloomberg added that Apple is also “exploring the possibility of incorporating cellular connectivity into the Mac for the very first time” as part of this initiative.
Apple plans to unveil its initial cellular modem version next year in the upcoming iPhone SE 4, the iPhone 17 Air, and the standard iPad model. The subsequent year will see the launch of an advanced version of the chip, featuring enhanced 5G capabilities for the iPhone 18 Pro.
As part of this transition, there’s an interest in introducing cellular capability to the Mac as early as 2026:
With a modem in development, Apple is considering the introduction of cellular connectivity to the Mac for the first time, allowing users to access the internet without relying on Wi-Fi. This feature has been available only on the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad until now. However, cellular capabilities on the Mac are not expected before 2026, coinciding with Apple’s plans for a second-generation modem that offers faster speeds.
Additionally, there are discussions about a cellular-enabled version of the Vision Pro:
The company is also contemplating cellular support for future headsets, including upcoming versions of the Vision Pro. There are possibilities that this technology may eventually be applied to lightweight augmented reality glasses, although such devices are still several years away.
For more information on Apple’s modem initiatives, check out our earlier coverage.
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