What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Apple’s “stop paying royalties” story is a 2017 dispute, not a new 2026 event. Apple suspended royalty remittances through its contract manufacturers while challenging Qualcomm’s licensing demands. The companies settled worldwide in April 2019, and Qualcomm announced a renewed global patent-license agreement effective April 1, 2027. The renewal’s length and financial terms have not been disclosed.
What happened to Apple’s Qualcomm royalty payments?
Apple filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on January 20, 2017. The case challenged, among other issues, Qualcomm’s demanded licensing rate. Apple later reported that Qualcomm-related royalty payments had not been remitted through its contract manufacturers from the beginning of the second quarter of 2017.
On April 28, 2017, Apple told Axios that it had suspended payments until a court determined the correct amount. Apple said: “Without an agreed-upon rate to determine how much is owed, we have suspended payments until the correct amount can be determined by the court.” That was Apple’s position in the dispute, not a judicial finding. Qualcomm disputed Apple’s account and sued Apple’s contract manufacturers over the withheld royalties.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Why did Apple stop paying?
The disagreement concerned how Qualcomm licensed its cellular technology and how much Apple should pay. Apple argued that Qualcomm had refused fair licensing terms and that the amount owed needed to be established. Qualcomm maintained that its licensing agreements required payment and alleged in its complaint that customers had historically paid for use of its technology. That complaint was Qualcomm’s litigation position, not an independent court determination.
#1 Best Overall
- 【16GB RAM + 512GB Storage – Future-Proof Power】 Unlock unmatched multitasking with 16GB RAM and store 150,000+ photos/videos on 512GB storage—double the capacity of most phones.Unlike competitors with slower RAM and limited storage, the I25 Ultra runs 20+ apps seamlessly and supports 4K video editing without lag.Pre-installed Android 14 ensures 3 years of updates, while others lag on older OS versions.
- 【68MP+108MP Pro-Grade Camera – Studio-Quality Shots】 Dominate mobile photography with a 108MP main sensor (vs. standard 50MP in rivals) and 68MP ultra-wide lens. Capture 8K videos and 4x sharper low-light shots than 12MP/48MP competitors. AI Night Mode eliminates blur, and 100x hybrid zoom outperforms phones with 30x limits.Includes pro editing tools missing in same-price rivals.
- 【Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – Faster Than Gen 2 Phones】 Benchmark 1.5M+ Antutu scores— higher than Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 devices. Play Genshin Impact at 120fps (others max at 90fps) and stream 4K for 10hrs without throttling.LiquidCool 4.0 tech keeps temps 15°C lower than rival phones during heavy use. Future-proof for 5G, AR apps, and AI-driven tasks competitors can’t handle.
- 【7000mAh Battery – 2-Day Life vs 5000mAh Rivals】 Last 48hrs on a single charge— longer than average 5000mAh phones. 45W fast charging refuels 70% in 30 minutes, ideal for travelers ,Includes battery health AI ignored by budget brands.
- 【6.99" FHD+ AMOLED – Giant Screen, Zero Compromises】 A vast 6.99" display (vs. 6.7" standard) with 120Hz refresh rate and 1300nit brightness— brighter than rivals.Gorilla Glass Victus 2 resists 2x more drops than competitors’ Gorilla Glass 5.Ultra-thin 3.9mm bezels offer screen-to-body ratio Perfect for movies, gaming, and productivity.
Did Apple and Qualcomm settle?
Yes. On April 16, 2019, Apple and Qualcomm announced a worldwide settlement that dismissed their litigation. Apple made an undisclosed payment to Qualcomm. Apple’s 2019 Form 10-K says the payment resolved disputes that included withheld royalties.
The settlement also created a six-year global patent-license agreement effective April 1, 2019, with a two-year extension option, plus a separate multiyear chipset supply agreement. The royalty settlement and the chip-supply deal were related commercial arrangements, but they were not the same contract.
Rank #2
- This phone is Unlocked for GSM Carriers in USA like T-Mobile (Excluding Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular) and not compatible with any CDMA Network Carriers. Dual-SIM (2x Nano-SIM + or Nano-SIM + eSIM or Dual eSIM)
- Samsung Regional Lock will be unlocked. This process requires unsealing the unit prior to shipping.
- 6.9" full rectangle, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120 x 1440 (Quad HD+), 120 Hz, 16M Color Depth, Corning Glass Victus 2
- 1TB UFS 4.0 Storage, 12GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
What is the current status in 2026?
Qualcomm announced on September 24, 2026, that its global patent license with Apple had been renewed, with the renewed agreement effective April 1, 2027. Qualcomm’s announcement did not state the renewal’s duration, royalty rate, payment amount or other financial terms. Reuters reported that the existing agreement was scheduled to end March 31, 2027 and included a two-year extension option, but the public announcement does not establish whether the renewed term is explained solely by that option.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Therefore, the public record supports this conclusion: Apple and Qualcomm remain covered by a patent-licensing relationship that continues into 2027, but the exact economics of that renewal are confidential. It is not accurate to describe the 2017 suspension as a current 2026 stoppage.
Rank #3
- 6.0” HD+ 18:9 Widescreen Display; Premium Metal design and 83% Screen-to-body Ratio
- 13MP PDAF Main Camera with flash + 16MP Super Selfie Camera with flash
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 1.4GHz Quad Core; 32GB Internal memory 3GB RAM; MicroSD up to 64GB
- Fingerprint Sensor, Android 7.1.2 Nougat
- 4G LTE, (1/2/3/4/5/7/12/17/28), 3G HSPA+ (850/900/1700/1900/2100): US compatibility Nationwide on all GSM Networks including AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS, Straight Talk, and others. Not compatible with CDMA network
Patent royalties and modem purchases are separate
A patent license gives Apple rights to use covered Qualcomm technology. A chipset supply agreement governs the purchase of modem chips. Continuing patent coverage does not prove that Apple will continue buying Qualcomm modems.
| Arrangement | What it covers | Publicly established dates and terms |
|---|---|---|
| Patent license | Rights to use Qualcomm’s licensed cellular technology and associated royalty obligations | Six-year global license effective April 1, 2019, with a two-year extension option; renewed effective April 1, 2027. The new term and financial terms are not stated publicly. |
| Chipset supply | Apple’s purchase of Qualcomm modem chips | The 2019 settlement included a multiyear supply agreement. Reuters reported that a 2023 supply deal covered 5G chips through at least 2026. |
Qualcomm’s 2026 regulatory filing says it expects Apple to increasingly use its own modem products and identifies that possibility as a risk to Qualcomm’s equipment revenue. That disclosure reinforces why a renewed patent license should not be treated as proof of continuing modem-chip purchases.
Does Apple still pay Qualcomm royalties?
Apple’s 2017 suspension was resolved through the 2019 settlement, which included an undisclosed payment and a new global license. Qualcomm’s 2026 renewal announcement confirms continued licensing coverage from April 1, 2027, but does not disclose the amount, rate or payment schedule. No public source establishes the precise royalties Apple pays today.
Quick Recap
What the timeline shows
- January 20, 2017: Apple filed its U.S. lawsuit challenging Qualcomm’s licensing demands.
- Beginning of the second quarter of 2017: Apple reported that royalty remittances through its contract manufacturers stopped.
- April 28, 2017: Apple publicly said it had suspended payments pending a determination of the correct amount.
- April 16, 2019: The companies settled worldwide; Apple made an undisclosed payment, and they signed a global patent license and separate chipset supply agreement.
- September 24, 2026: Qualcomm announced renewal of the global patent license, effective April 1, 2027, without publishing the new term or financial terms.
What remains unknown
- The royalty rate and total value of the 2027 renewal.
- The exact duration of the renewed patent-license agreement.
- Whether Apple will purchase Qualcomm modem chips beyond the publicly reported supply commitments.
- How quickly Apple’s own modem products will replace Qualcomm components in specific iPhone generations or regions.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
