Qualcomm announced on September 24 that it has extended its patent licensing agreement with Apple. The new terms are set to take effect on April 1, 2027.
This extension builds upon the 2019 global settlement that resolved a two-year legal dispute between the companies regarding wireless communication patent fees and modem chip supply.
The original 2019 agreement included an option for Apple to extend the deal by two years, which the company has now exercised, pushing the partnership beyond the previous March 2027 deadline.
While Apple is increasingly using its own in-house modem chips, the patent licensing deal remains separate from hardware supply. Apple must still pay for the use of Qualcomm's essential wireless communication patents.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon noted that revenue from Apple is expected to decline as the tech giant expands its self-developed chip usage. The share of Qualcomm components in future iPhones may fall below the previously projected 20 percent.
The partnership is shifting from a traditional supplier-customer model to a relationship focused on patent licensing. This ensures Apple maintains access to essential standards while avoiding potential future litigation.
