Apple's New iPhone 16e: A 5G Misstep?

Apple just dropped the iPhone 16e, a budget-friendly phone with a twist. It's the first iPhone to use Apple's own 5G modem, which is pretty cool, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows. The problem? It's not as good as Qualcomm's 5G modem. This is a big deal because the iPhone 16e can't handle millimeter-wave 5G. That means no super-fast 5G speeds and spotty coverage in many places, especially in big cities like New York or Chicago. It's a bummer, right? Why is this happening? Well, Qualcomm is the king of millimeter-wave 5G tech. They pretty much invented it and made it a must-have in North America. Apple could have licensed the technology from Qualcomm, but it didn't. Maybe it was too expensive, or Qualcomm wasn't willing to play ball. Apple has the money and brains to do almost anything, but even they can't shake Qualcomm's grip on North America's 5G market. This isn't just about Apple. It's about how one company can have so much power that it can hold back others or charge crazy prices for their tech. Apple says it has plans to fix this with future models. But for now, if you're in North America and want the fastest 5G speeds, you might want to look elsewhere. There are other companies like Samsung making 5G modems, but Qualcomm is still the best. It's frustrating to see one company have so much control. If Apple and Intel can't break free, what hope is there for the rest? This isn't just about Apple or Qualcomm. It's about how one company can have so much power that it can hold back others or charge crazy prices for their tech. It's a reminder that even the biggest companies can't always do what they want.