iPhone 18 Pro Models Again Rumored to Feature Apple's C2 Modem

[MacRumors]

Apple debuted its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e last month, as part of a multi-year plan to transition away from Qualcomm modems. And per the latest rumor, the C1 modem will continue to roll out later this year.

In a research note with investment firm GF Securities today, analyst Jeff Pu said the ultra-thin "iPhone 17 Air" will be equipped with the C1 modem. Fellow analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to reveal that this was Apple's plan last year.

Pu believes Apple's second-generation C2 modem will debut in the iPhone 18 Pro models next year, which is also something that has already been rumored previously. Look for the C2 modem to be faster overall, and for it to gain mmWave support in the United States. Further power efficiency improvements are likely too.

iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to have Qualcomm modems still.

Apple's modem supply agreement with Qualcomm runs through March 2027, so the company still has time to transition to its own custom-designed modems. Apple develops chips several years before they ship, so it should come as no surprise that the company is reportedly already working on its next-generation C2 and C3 modems.

Apple said the C1 modem is already the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever, and it held up fine in both real-world and simulated 5G speed test results.

Article Link: iPhone 18 Pro Models Again Rumored to Feature Apple's C2 Modem

 

[257Loner]

And after the C2 modem debuts in the latest iPhones, the C3 modem will follow after that. Remember, you heard it first from me!

 

[DocMultimedia]

Bring on the 2029 rumors. 2028 is so yesterday.

But I'll buy one.

 

[SAIRUS]

“But this time we got it right”

 

[jz0309]

C2 will go into some iPhone 18 models, not sure it’ll be the Pros. For going into the Pros, it’ll have to be equal or better than the next one from QCOM and I’m not sure about that, yet.
My guess, QCOM for 18Pros and C2 for the others

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Let’s hope it’s better than the C1:

My 16e was delivered this morning via UPS - T-Mobile gave me $500 in trade-in value for my 2 & 1/2 year old Google Pixel 7 (that I only paid $350 for) so I was able to get the 16e in white for only 100 bucks ($4 x 24 months @ 0%)

I’m going to use it as my primary phone so that I can put this new C1 chip to the test and I’m going to give my 2nd iPhone (1TB 15 Pro Max) to my Dad so that he can take spatial videos

He wants to start taking spatial videos because he said that he wants to buy a 2nd generation Vision Pro (once it comes out) we got to try the new Vision Pro in Miami and it was pretty cool so my dad said he wants to get one if Apple lowers the price to $1,999 (or less)

 

[F23]

has anyone done extensive testing on the C1 compared to the current iPhone modems to see performance differences?

 

[dustin.haley]

Let’s hope it’s better than the C1:

My 16e was delivered this morning via UPS - T-Mobile gave me $500 in trade-in value for my 2 & 1/2 year old Google Pixel 7 (that I only paid $350 for) so I was able to get the 16e in white for only 100 bucks ($4 x 24 months @ 0%)

I’m going to use it as my primary phone so that I can put this new C1 chip to the test and I’m going to give my 2nd iPhone (1TB 15 Pro Max) to my Dad so that he can take spatial videos

He wants to start taking spatial videos because he said that he wants to buy a 2nd generation Vision Pro (once it comes out) we got to try the new Vision Pro in Miami and it was pretty cool so my dad said he wants to get one if Apple lowers the price to $1,999 (or less)

The guy spends 5 minutes saying the 16e has a bigger battery than the 16. There have been actual tests showing the C1 is more efficient… this video also doesn’t discuss the data/speed performance at all.

Overall, useless video…

 

[CarAnalogy]

C2 will go into some iPhone 18 models, not sure it’ll be the Pros. For going into the Pros, it’ll have to be equal or better than the next one from QCOM and I’m not sure about that, yet.
My guess, QCOM for 18Pros and C2 for the others

I'm going to further predict Qualcomm sues Apple for patent infringement at some point in this time frame.

Not that that's a prediction of legitimacy either way, it's just what companies this size do.

And considering how ridiculous the patent system is and how complex modern cellular modems are, they can probably get at least a settlement or, what they would probably really want, another contract of some sort.

 

[NetMage]

C2 will go into some iPhone 18 models, not sure it’ll be the Pros. For going into the Pros, it’ll have to be equal or better than the next one from QCOM and I’m not sure about that, yet.
My guess, QCOM for 18Pros and C2 for the others

Better isn't just about performance. If the C2 can match the current Qualcomm modem with less power usage, why wouldn't Apple use it in the 18 Pros?

 

[bigglow]

Supply chain-wise this benefits cost and possibly preserve margins.

It may be at par or slightly worse than Qualcomm.

A win for shareholder's value.

It is my hope that this finds itserlf onto a Mac chip SoC so I can get a Macbook on a 24-36 month postpaid plan.

 

[Dr McKay]

has anyone done extensive testing on the C1 compared to the current iPhone modems to see performance differences?

Haven’t seen anything more extensive than a reviewer spending the day with it. Michael Fisher reported sometimes the C1 would give faster speeds, sometimes the Qualcomm in the 16 Pro would be faster. C1’s main claim is efficiency, which is my phones number one cause of battery drain at work as it desperately fights to look for a signal in this entirely metal building.

 

[Schlotkins]

has anyone done extensive testing on the C1 compared to the current iPhone modems to see performance differences?

I was wondering the same. On the other hand, there hasn't been a lot of complaints so ... seems to be better than the Intel modems...

 

[svish]

Excited to hear about this. Should bring improvements to battery life for the Pro devices. It will also bring mmWave support to iPhones across all regions. Also waiting to see the C series chip on MacBooks.

 

[foobarbaz]

C2 will go into some iPhone 18 models, not sure it’ll be the Pros. For going into the Pros, it’ll have to be equal or better than the next one from QCOM and I’m not sure about that, yet.

Why? It only has do be good enough that users are happy. And pretty much nobody buys the pro phone because of its (theoretical) download speeds.

 

[SamRyouji]

Nah, I'm waiting for the C4 on the iPhone 20. It should be "bombastic".

 

[Abazigal]

Supply chain-wise this benefits cost and possibly preserve margins.

It may be at par or slightly worse than Qualcomm.

A win for shareholder's value.

It is my hope that this finds itserlf onto a Mac chip SoC so I can get a Macbook on a 24-36 month postpaid plan.

I am also interested to know what this means for Qualcomm, especially their earnings. Will we be seeing any significant dip in their revenue (Apple will likely end up paying them way less in licensing fees?), and whether this will impact their future R&D and product roadmap plans.

 

[ksec]

I am also interested to know what this means for Qualcomm, especially their earnings. Will we be seeing any significant dip in their revenue (Apple will likely end up paying them way less in licensing fees?), and whether this will impact their future R&D and product roadmap plans.

Um.... No.

 

[cocky jeremy]

has anyone done extensive testing on the C1 compared to the current iPhone modems to see performance differences?

I think there was a post about it before saying the speeds are the same but less power draw.

 

[cdsapplefan]

I'm going to further predict Qualcomm sues Apple for patent infringement at some point in this time frame.

Not that that's a prediction of legitimacy either way, it's just what companies this size do.

And considering how ridiculous the patent system is and how complex modern cellular modems are, they can probably get at least a settlement or, what they would probably really want, another contract of some sort.

Apple is using Intel’s portfolio of patents that Qualcomm did not own, so they will not waste time and big money trying to sue juggernaut Apple 🍎 especially since they still have a contract with them through 2027.

 

[bergert]

Apple is using Intel’s portfolio of patents that Qualcomm did not own, so they will not waste time and big money trying to sue juggernaut Apple 🍎 especially since they still have a contract with them through 2027.

Apple bought Intel's 5G unit in 2019 (staff + IP) - so by now they will have some patents of their own too.

 

[cdsapplefan]

Apple bought Intel's 5G unit in 2019 (staff + IP) - so by now they will have some patents of their own too.

Apple also has poach hired top Qualcomm cellular radio engineers. 🧑‍💻

Apple Hires Top Qualcomm Engineer As iPhone Maker Ramps Up Building Its Own Chips

Apple boosts its chipmaking talent.

www.forbes.com

 

[CarAnalogy]

Apple is using Intel’s portfolio of patents that Qualcomm did not own, so they will not waste time and big money trying to sue juggernaut Apple 🍎 especially since they still have a contract with them through 2027.

That's a good point and hopefully works out the way they intended. But that was a long time ago and apparently they had to scrap a lot and start over.

But I'm not a lawyer, maybe it's just a mutually assured destruction patent chest they both keep around to threaten the other with.

If that wasn't the original intention of the patent system, it certainly seems to be what it has devolved into.

 

[cdsapplefan]

That's a good point and hopefully works out the way they intended. But that was a long time ago and apparently they had to scrap a lot and start over.

But I'm not a lawyer, maybe it's just a mutually assured destruction patent chest they both keep around to threaten the other with.

If that wasn't the original intention of the patent system, it certainly seems to be what it has devolved into.

Yeah that’s why Apple paid $1 Billion to buy Intel’s modem portfolio because they knew that Qualcomm would not be able to dispute those patents. Qualcomm would go bankrupt trying to dispute those Intel patents in court.

So your right correct in that both companies can now threaten each other with there own patents.

Apple 🍎 doesn’t have to be the first, they just have to make it better and seemless.

Apple lost the 5G battle, but it paid Intel $1 billion to win the war

Apple plans to buy Intel's modem business for $1 billion, in a deal expected to close by the end of 2019. The move puts Apple in a position to control its future in 5G.

www.cnbc.com

 

[CarAnalogy]

Yeah that’s why Apple paid $1 Billion to buy Intel’s modem portfolio because they knew that Qualcomm would not be able to dispute those patents. Qualcomm would go bankrupt trying to dispute those Intel patents in court.

So your right correct in that both companies can now threaten each other with there own patents.

Apple 🍎 doesn’t have to be the first, they just have to make it better and seemless.

Apple lost the 5G battle, but it paid Intel $1 billion to win the war

Apple plans to buy Intel's modem business for $1 billion, in a deal expected to close by the end of 2019. The move puts Apple in a position to control its future in 5G.

www.cnbc.com

In this case I'm not sure they're convinced it even has to be better in any way users would notice. Just more integrated and cheaper to produce would be fine with them.

People have also likened it to the relationship with Intel, where they had to wait for Qualcomm to give them what they wanted rather than making it on their own schedule like they do now with their SOCs.