Apple might have cut more than a few corners with the iPhone 16e and its C1 5G modem by not equipping it with mmWave support, but according to the latest review roundup, the $599 handset checks most of the boxes when it comes to sporting key flagship features. The in-house baseband is likely going to be on the discussion train for several weeks, but there was always going to be the question of whether Apple’s latest solution can outperform the Snapdragon X71 that is currently featured in the iPhone 16 lineup.
According to a YouTuber, the answer is affirmative, with a basic speed comparison showing that the C1 can achieve 40 percent higher downlink capabilities than a modem present in the pricier iPhone 16 Pro Max.
YouTuber who tested out the C1 in the iPhone 16e lives in a developed region, so the speeds obtained might not be representative of how the 5G modem performs in other countries
After a review roundup of the iPhone 16e mostly praised Apple’s latest release, some content creators like Dave2D provided the answer that the majority of viewers were looking for; the C1 5G modem’s performance compared to the Snapdragon X71. When running Ookla’s Speedtest, the iPhone 16 effortlessly crossed the 200Mbps threshold, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max was trailing behind comprehensively, making it a poor showing for the more expensive flagship.
It is important to note that both devices were likely connected to a sub-6GHz network, but if the test was re-run on an mmWave node, the iPhone 16 Pro Max would undoubtedly have been the victor. While we now have a pretty decent idea of how the C1 will perform, it is important to note that Dave2D lives in Toronto, Canada, where his entire surroundings are filled with cellular towers that operate on a specific frequency.
Since the YouTuber resides in a developed region, the improved downlink speeds from the C1 could indicate that the performance numbers obtained depend on which region you live in. It is highly possible that in a country where 5G is deployed but the reception is choppy, the iPhone 16e could underperform compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Of course, we have to wait for more tests to come through before we provide our verdict, but at least in the Speedtest run, the C1 comes out on top.
News Source: Dave2D
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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