Apple could finally give us a MacBook that lets you get online from just about anywhere, but not until 2026 at the earliest
- Apple is reportedly ‘exploring’ a 5G modem for its Macs
- The modem won’t be in Macs until 2026, or maybe even later
- A proprietary modem would reduce costs, making 5G feasible for Macs
Apple is considering finally adding a cellular modem to its Macs, after the prospect has been floating around the rumor mill for a while.
A cellular (5G) modem would mean MacBooks could connect to mobile broadband on the go, rather than having to find public Wi-Fi somewhere or tether to an iPhone.
The rumor comes from a reliable source on Apple’s inner machinations, Mark Gurman, in an article Bloomberg (via MacRumors).
Gurman believes that Apple is “exploring” the idea of a 5G modem in its Macs, but that such a model won’t be there next year – it won’t be until 2026 at the earliest (or maybe even later).
The chip will be a custom 5G modem that Apple is readying for select iPhone and iPad models next year, including the rumored iPhone 17 Air (also called the iPhone 17 Slim). It will be deployed to lower-end devices first to test the waters before coming to the heavier iOS hardware.
Apple’s 5G chip will replace the Qualcomm modems it now uses in iOS devices, and if the company’s own modems prove successful, they will theoretically be available for Macs as well as the flagship iPhone and iPad models are coming.
While the first generation of Apple’s modem will likely be a relatively modest piece of technology, Gurman believes the company plans to beat Qualcomm’s modems with the third generation.
That could be a realistic ambition if Apple can achieve similar success to the one we’ve seen in transitioning from Intel processors in Macs to its own M-series chips.
Analysis: Reducing costs
As MacRumors notes, Gurman has previously said that Macs with 5G modems likely wouldn’t hit the market until 2028, so that time frame may have been pushed back. ‘Possibly’ is the key word there, as 2026 is mentioned as the first year we could see mobile Macs, so it could well be sooner 2027 before these devices show up. If that is the case, Apple can always push this plan further.
You might be wondering: why has it taken so long for Apple to come up with this modem-for-Mac plan? Well, mainly because of the expensive cost of paying Qualcomm for the necessary modems (and the associated technical patent costs) if this were to happen now – something that will be significantly mitigated if Apple has its own 5G modem.
Certainly, a 5G modem isn’t on everyone’s Mac wish list, as you’ll obviously need to purchase a mobile data plan to use it. But it will be a tempting prospect for those who spend a lot of time on the road with their MacBook, and certainly a useful option to have. Keep in mind that 5G is obviously an optional addition, and not something you get on the entry-level models.