Kuo: Apple Developing Faster 'Refreshed' C1 Modem With mmWave Support for Mass Production Next Year

Apple is developing a "refreshed" version of its C1 modem for mass production in 2024, which will improve power consumption and transmission speed, and add support for mmWave technology. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed this information, stating that achieving stable performance with low power consumption remains a significant challenge. The current C1 modem in the iPhone 16e lacks mmWave support, which limits its speed in specific locations. Apple plans to improve the technology with each new generation, with the iPhone 17 Air expected to also use the C1 modem. The "refreshed" C1 modem may be used in a rumored iPhone 17e, an iPad, or the standard iPhone 18 model. Another possibility is that the information relates to a "C2" modem, expected to arrive in 2026 and debut in iPhone 18 Pro models. Kuo also shared technical details about the C1 modem process technology, including the use of 4/5nm, 7nm, and 55nm nodes. Unlike processors, baseband chips do not significantly benefit from using the latest advanced node, so it's unlikely that Apple's baseband will shift to a 3nm process next year. The current C1 modem is claimed to be the most power-efficient used in an iPhone, contributing to the iPhone 16e's longest battery life. Overall, Apple is working to improve its modem technology to provide faster speeds and better performance.