Apple looks set to extend its reliance on Qualcomm for 5G modems further to 2030, after having first delayed introduction of its in-house alternative until 2026. Although not yet confirmed, this looks increasingly likely and fits with recent developments in this tortuous saga that was supposed to involve Apple becoming completely self-sufficient for its own critical silicon. This would include the 5G modem as well as the device processing SoC (System on Chip) responsible for applications on the device, and therefore a major source of differentiation. With a growing number of applications requiring closer integration with the 5G network, the role of the modem chip and its interaction with the main device SoC is becoming increasingly critical. The story dates…