Last month, Apple debuted its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e as part of its multi-year plan to transition away from Qualcomm modems. According to the latest rumors, the C1 modem will continue to launch later this year. In a research report released today by investment company GF Securities, analyst Jeff Pu said that the ultra-thin "iPhone 17 Air" will be equipped with a C1 modem. Last year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was the first to reveal Apple’s plan.
Pu believes that Apple’s second-generation C2 modem will appear in the iPhone 18 Pro model next year, which is also mentioned in previous rumors. The C2 modem will be faster overall and will get millimeter wave support in the US. In addition, further improvements in energy efficiency are possible.
The iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to still use Qualcomm modems. Apple's modem supply agreement with Qualcomm is set to expire in March 2027, so the company still has time to transition to its own custom-designed modems.
Apple started developing the chip years before it shipped, so it's no surprise that it's said to already be developing next-generation C2 and C3 modems.
Apple says the C1 modem has become the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever and performed well in both real and simulated 5G speed test results.