Apple's new C1X modem is proving to be surprisingly competitive against Qualcomm's X80 modem, and substantially more so than the Cupertino giant's last-gen C1 modem, as per the latest speed tests by Ookla.
While still not on par, Apple's C1X modem is now nipping at the proverbial heels of Qualcomm's X80 modem
Before delving into Ookla's new speedtest data set, let's first go over the broad strokes of Apple's C1X modem.
The C1X is Apple's second custom modem, following the C1. According to the Cupertino giant, the C1X is up to 2x faster than the C1. Even so, the C1X only supports sub-6GHz 5G (low-band and mid-band frequencies) and, like its predecessor, still lacks support for mmWave 5G.
Apple's new modem is able to intelligently adapt to network congestion, with the processor able to signal to the C1X modem which download tasks to prioritize in such bottleneck conditions.
What's more, the modem enables Apple's new "Limit Precise Location" feature, which reduces the quantum of information that is made available to network carriers and obfuscates location visibility to the neighborhood level instead of the default street-level one.
Where the C1X truly shines, however, is in the power efficiency arena. According to Apple, the "C1X offers up to 30 percent less modem energy usage than iPad Air with M3."
Ookla's speedtests
The median network conditions best describe what users typically experience during day-to-day use of their device. As is evident from the above chart, the C1X boasts a median 5G download speeds of 352.21 Mbps in the US, which is just 2.65 percent below the median download speeds of Qualcomm's X80 modem, and a whopping 69.41 percent above Apple's C1 modem.
What's more, the C1X modem's intelligent adaptability to network congestion actually gives it a slight edge over the X80 in bottleneck conditions in the US, with the C1X sporting download speeds that are 7 percent higher than those offered by the X80 modem in such conditions.
Do note that the difference in download speeds between Qualcomm's X80 modem and Apple's C1X is smallest in Italy, Spain, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the US, and France, respectively. Conversely, the X80 modem's lead in average download speeds is the greatest in Taiwan, Poland, South Korea, India, Malaysia, and Brazil, respectively.
When it comes to challenging network conditions, however, Apple's C1X modem remains largely in-line with the download performance of the X80, barring a few key markets such as Taiwan, South Korea, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, respectively, where Qualcomm's offering is better able to leverage the more advanced 5G networks deployed in these markets.
What's more, according to Ookla, "the C1X saw no meaningful improvement over the C1 in Brazil, India and Malaysia," suggesting that these markets either have more widespread 5G network congestion or rely more heavily on low-band DSS rather than dedicated mid-band, "neutralizing the more advanced capabilities of the C1X."
On upload speeds, Ookla notes:
"The C1X managed to deliver a more equitable upload experience compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max with the X80, with the variance between +/- 5 Mbps for most markets, with the exception of Taiwan (-8.6 Mbps), Malaysia (+5.6 Mbps), India (-5.2 Mbps), Poland (-7.3 Mbps) and the UAE (-9.2 Mbps)."
And, in what is a resounding endorsement of Apple's C1X, Ookla notes that the C1X enjoys a clear lead against Qualcomm's X80 modem in latency, which is emerging as a critical metric when it comes to real-time generative AI and cloud computing. The firm states:
"The C1X modem consistently provides a responsiveness upgrade over the C1 modem, particularly noticeable in China (+6 ms advantage), Indonesia (+6 ms), and the United States (+5 ms). It also provides a latency boost over the iPhone 17 Pro Max across the vast majority of markets, with the exception of Taiwan and Japan."
Finally, these tests show that Apple's C1X is not a "compromised, mid-tier modem." In fact, it is increasingly competitive with the X80 under the best network conditions, where Qualcomm's offering still maintains a discernible edge, albeit one that is likely a function of its superior handling of multi-band 5G environments and a broader library of global field testing. Where the C1X absolutely excels, however, is in latency and congestion-free mid-band 5G frequencies.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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