Apple's in-house modem has received positive reviews, but it is still slower than the modems supplied by Qualcomm for the flagship iPhone 16 models. However, the fact that it is the company's entry into the modem industry indicates that Apple has something up its sleeve that could shake up the industry, as we have seen with the M series of chips. A new report claims that Apple is working on a "refreshed" version of the C1 modem, potentially for next year's iPhone and iPad lineup, which will come with improved power efficiency, transmission speed, mmWave support, and much more.
Apple is developing a revised iteration of the C1 chip with mmWave support, and mass production will begin next year.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims in a post on X that Apple is developing a refreshed version of its custom C1 modem, which will come with mmWave support and better power efficiency. While adding mmWave is not a challenge for Apple, maintaining stable performance and power efficiency is the company's number one priority at this stage.
Apple recently launched the iPhone 16e with a handful of new changes and improvements over the previous iPhone SE 3. The device is also leading the entire iPhone 16 lineup in terms of what’s to come. The new C1 modem in the device lacks the industry's fast mmWave support, which allows the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup to enjoy top-of-the-line upload and download speeds.
Apple says that its custom C1 modem is just the "start," which means that future iterations of the chip could potentially replace Qualcomm as the company's sole modem supplier. Apple's main aim is to reduce its dependency on Qualcomm, which will also allow the company to save extra costs. Apple also plans to launch the iPhone 17 Air this year, equipped with the company's C1 modem. The modem will also help tackle battery life concerns associated with the ultra-thin design of the device.
It remains to be seen which devices will get Apple's refreshed version of the C1 modem. Since it is scheduled to arrive next year, we believe the iPhone 17e will be the perfect candidate for the new version. Apple could also expand the list of devices that will get the revised iteration of the chip, including new iPhone models and possibly iPads with cellular support.
The Information previously noted that Apple will launch its first in-house modem with mmWave 5G support in 2026. Ming-Chi Kuo could also be setting the stage for the C2 modem, which was previously reported to debut next year, as it would be the perfect upgrade to the initial C1 chip. Mark Gurman, on the flip side, also claims that the C2 modem will be available next year for the iPhone 18 Pro models. Kuo has also shared the technical specifications and other details related to the chip, which we have covered in a dedicated post, so be sure to check that out as well.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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