Qualcomm announced the renewal of its global patent licensing agreement with Apple, effective April 1, 2027. No further details were provided.
The renewed patent deal is separate from Qualcomm’s agreement to supply Apple with cellular modems for smartphone launches through 2026, so we expect Apple’s transition to its own custom-designed modems to continue.
Among the latest iPhone models, only the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max still has a Qualcomm modem. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo are equipped with Apple’s C2 modem worldwide, as is the iPhone 18 Pro Max in all countries beyond the U.S. Cellular models of the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air use Apple’s previous-generation C1X modem.
Qualcomm patent timeline
Following a legal battle, Apple and Qualcomm reached a settlement that included a six-year patent licensing agreement beginning April 1, 2019. A two-year extension option was exercised, pushing the agreement’s expiry date to March 31, 2027. Reports indicated that another two-year extension option was available, so it is possible the agreement now runs through March 31, 2029, but the length of the latest extension was not disclosed.
