Looking back at the iPhone 16e in the future, one key aspect we’ll remember is that it marked Apple’s inaugural use of its own modem technology.
Despite a somewhat strained relationship, Apple has traditionally depended on Qualcomm for its modem needs. The introduction of the C1 chip in the iPhone 16e signifies Apple’s initial move towards independence from Qualcomm.
Nevertheless, Qualcomm claims it isn’t concerned about the competition stemming from Apple’s entry into the modem market…
This week at Mobile World Congress 2025, Qualcomm showcased its latest X85 5G modem, as reported by my colleagues at 9to5Google. This modem boasts impressive peak speeds of 12.5 Gbps for uploads and 3.7 Gbps for downloads, along with a new “5G AI processor” that purportedly enhances inference speeds by 30%.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon shared in a recent interview with CNBC that this cutting-edge X85 5G modem…
“This is the first modem so deeply integrated with AI that it actually extends the modem’s performance range, enabling it to manage weaker signals more effectively. This capability will create a significant gap between the performance levels of premium Android devices and iOS devices, highlighting the advantages of Qualcomm’s technology over Apple’s.
As long as modems are relevant, Qualcomm technology will have a place in the market. In today’s AI-driven landscape, modems are set to play a more crucial role than ever, influencing consumer preferences for the best modem in their handheld devices.”
Apple aims to integrate its proprietary modem across its entire iPhone range by next year, introducing enhanced features such as mmWave 5G support. Following the iPhone 16e, the upcoming iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature the C1 modem when it debuts this fall. Subsequently, the complete iPhone 18 series will transition from Qualcomm to Apple’s modems with the arrival of the C2.
Initial evaluations of the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e have been favorable. Laboratory assessments have indicated that Apple’s modem is on par with Qualcomm’s offering in the iPhone 16 while demonstrating notably improved power efficiency.
Refer to this timeline:
