Apple Says Its 5G Modem Will Come to More Devices, Here's Which Ones

Apple's new iPhone 16e features a custom-designed C1 modem for 5G and LTE connectivity, a departure from Qualcomm modems used in other iPhone models. The C1 modem is expected to provide slower 5G speeds compared to Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75 modem, but Apple aims to catch up in the future. The C1 modem is already the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone, contributing to the iPhone 16e's longest battery life. Apple has stated that the C1 modem is just the start of its long-term strategy to innovate and optimize modems for additional Apple products. The ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air and cellular iPad 11 configurations are likely to feature the C1 modem next. Apple has also considered adding 5G modems to future Mac and Vision Pro models. The company is already working on C2 and C3 modems, with the C2 aiming to add mmWave 5G support and the C3 aiming to outperform Qualcomm's modems. Apple's goal is to eventually merge the modem into the iPhone's A-series chip. By developing its own modem, Apple eliminates the risk of relying on an external supplier and avoids extending its contract with Qualcomm. Eventually, every cellular Apple device is likely to have a C-series modem.