Apple's Work on 6G Connectivity Already Expanding

Apple's work on implementing 6G cellular connectivity on its devices appears to be ramping up, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

iphone 5g mmwave
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple is increasingly turning its attention to 6G, even amid its widely reported difficulties developing a custom 5G cellular modem.

In 2021, the first highly specific Apple job listings with reference to 6G emerged. Now, a further job position for a Modem Systems Software Architect has appeared on the company's website that seeks an individual to "coordinate the design and modeling of a 6G reference architecture." Gurman says the listing is part of the company's growing push to hire engineers to develop 6G cellular technologies.

Carriers are already working on next-generation 6G networking. In late 2020, Apple joined the Next G Alliance, an industry group set up by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) that seeks to "advance North American mobile technology leadership in 6G and beyond over the next decade, while building on the long-term evolution of 5G."

Some analysts say the technology could enable speeds more than 100 times faster than 5G, but the extent of its enhanced performance in the real world is yet to be seen. 6G is not expected to emerge on consumer devices until around 2030.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...

Top Rated Comments

MrRom92 Avatar
23 months ago
This is it! This is when they activate all the vaccine chips!
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PsykX Avatar
23 months ago
"100 times faster than 5G"...
in other words...
"100 times faster than 4G" ?
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hieranonymous Avatar
23 months ago
It’s possible Apple’s realized its timeline for in-house 5G modems is still far-enough off that it makes more sense at this point just to shift those engineering resources over to 6G development. It’s amazing what a stranglehold Qualcomm has over the 5G space. It’s still too critical of a component for Apple not to want to bring it in-house, but it’s clearly a difficult technology to develop.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4odomi Avatar
23 months ago

MacRumors content image ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/04/apple-work-on-6g-expanding/')

Apple's work on implementing 6G cellular connectivity on its devices appears to be ramping up, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

MacRumors content image

In the latest edition ('https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-12-03/apple-to-drop-goldman-sachs-for-apple-card-chase-bank-is-ideal-replacement-lppjbe7z?') of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple is increasingly turning its attention to 6G, even amid its widely reported difficulties ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/11/16/apple-in-house-5g-modem-delays/') developing a custom 5G cellular modem ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-5g-modem/').

In 2021, the first highly specific Apple job listings ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/18/apple-seeking-engineers-work-on-6g/') with reference to 6G emerged. Now, a further job position for a Modem Systems Software Architect ('https://jobs.apple.com/en-us/details/200520108/modem-systems-software-architect?team=SFTWR') has appeared on the company's website that seeks an individual to "coordinate the design and modeling of a 6G reference architecture." Gurman says the listing is part of the company's growing push to hire engineers to develop 6G cellular technologies.

Carriers are already working on next-generation 6G networking ('https://www.macrumors.com/2020/09/21/att-says-5g-iphones-might-not-be-massive-event/'). In late 2020, Apple joined ('https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/13/apple-joins-6g-industry-group/') the Next G Alliance, an industry group set up by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) that seeks to "advance North American mobile technology leadership in 6G and beyond over the next decade, while building on the long-term evolution of 5G."

Some analysts say the technology could enable speeds more than 100 times faster than 5G, but the extent of its enhanced performance in the real world is yet to be seen. 6G is not expected to emerge on consumer devices until around 2030.

Article Link: Apple's Work on 6G Connectivity Already Expanding ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/04/apple-work-on-6g-expanding/')
If 5G is anything to go by, 6G is nothing to shout about ?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4odomi Avatar
23 months ago

It’d be great if they could just get the iPhone 15 Pro Max Wi-Fi to work with iOS 17 first.
My partner has had hers for 30 days, never had an issue with wi-fi!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jimbonatius Avatar
23 months ago
By the time I get to experience 5G, 6G will probably be out, lol.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)