Apple’s entire iPhone 18 lineup has been reported to forego Qualcomm’s 5G modems in favor of the company’s C2 baseband chip, which was reportedly in development when the iPhone 16e launched last year. However, according to one analyst, the Cupertino firm is bringing in another wireless chip to the flagship series, and it will be the direct successor to the N1. Additionally, there are other changes expected, such as a smaller Dynamic Island, so let us discuss all details below.
No improvements from the N2 wireless networking chip upgrade have been mentioned in the new report, but C2 5G modem could bring mmWave support
A research note from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu was spotted by MacRumors, and though several of those upgrades have been mentioned in past reports, the one change that caught our eye was the N2 wireless networking chip. Apple has said that the N1’s improvements include overall performance and reliability when using features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. Unfortunately, no details were mentioned on how the N2 would differ from the N1.
As for the C2, it is expected to feature both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G support, making it the first time Apple brings ultra-high-speed wireless connectivity to the table. The C2 is also said to utilize TSMC’s 4nm process, resulting in improved power efficiency. As for the other changes, Pu mentioned a smaller Dynamic Island, which has been talked about previously.
With Apple expected to move Face ID and its relevant components behind the OLED panel, the Dynamic Island could shrink by 35 percent, granting a higher ‘screen to body’ ratio to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The A20 Pro is expected to power both models too, and it will be Apple’s first 2nm chipset. Aside from that, variable aperture technology has been reported to arrive for the two flagships, bringing even more versatility to the camera hardware.
Both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in September, and if you want to learn more about the two flagships, be sure to check out our in-depth rumor roundup. Also, in case you forgot, the iPhone Fold could also arrive later this year, so let us keep our fingers crossed.
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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