The new iPhone 16e is equipped with Apple's custom-designed C1 modem for 5G and LTE connectivity, while all other current iPhone models rely on Qualcomm modems. While the average user is unlikely to care about this change, it's a big deal for Apple, which has been developing its own cellular modem since at least 2018, with many twists and turns along the way.
We're still waiting for speed test results from the C1 modem, but Apple's first modem is expected to offer slower 5G speeds than Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75 modem. Apple's goal is certainly to eventually match or even surpass Qualcomm in modem performance, but that goal may take several years.
At the same time, Apple said that the C1 modem has become the most power-efficient modem in iPhone, making the iPhone 16e’s battery life the longest of all 6.1-inch iPhone models, including the regular iPhone 16. We all know that Apple has excellent software and hardware integration capabilities, and this is the latest example of this.
Apple has said many times that the C1 modem is just the beginning. In a press release issued this week, the company highlighted its commitment to American manufacturing and heavily hinted at the release of more devices with custom 5G modems in the future.
Excerpted from the announcement, with emphasis highlighted by the author:
Apple C1 writes a new chapter for the development of Apple Silicon technology. It is the result of years of R&D investment and the efforts of thousands of engineers. Apple C1 is the beginning of a long-term strategy,It will allow Apple to innovate and optimize modem systems for more products.
Which devices might feature Apple-designed modems next?
According to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air launched later this year will also use the C1 modem. Additionally, cellular iPad 11 configurations would also be ideal candidates for the C1 modem. Apple is expected to release iPad 11 in March or April.
In addition to this, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple has considered adding 5G modems to future Mac and Vision Pro models.
Apple has publicly admitted that it will start developing future A-series processors for iPhones four years in advance, and this will likely apply to C-series modems as well. Gurman and others said Apple is already developing C2 and C3 modems. For the C2 modem, Apple hopes to add millimeter wave 5G support. For the C3 modem, the goal is obviously to surpass Qualcomm's modem.
All four iPhone 18 and iPad Pro models may feature C2 modems. Going a step further, Apple is expected to integrate the modem into the iPhone's A-series chips.
Why is Apple developing its own iPhone modem? First, it eliminates the risk of relying on outside suppliers, especially single-source parts like Qualcomm modems. Second, Apple's relationship with Qualcomm has been rocky. The two companies previously settled a lawsuit and extended the modem supply agreement for iPhones until March 2027, but Apple will likely want to avoid extending the contract further.
Apple initially tried to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm by using Intel modems in some iPhone models from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone 11 series. However, this was a controversial decision as tests showed that Intel modems did not perform as well as Qualcomm modems. When the iPhone 12 models ushered in the 5G era, Apple returned to using Qualcomm modems exclusively, but it also decided to design its own modems as a long-term solution. In 2019, Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business, and now the C1 modem has finally been unveiled after years of development.
For the foreseeable future, all Apple mobile devices will be equipped with C-series modems.