The iPhone 16e stands out for several reasons, the most significant being the inclusion of Apple’s first-ever cellular modem, known as the C1. In a recent interview with Reuters, Johny Srouji, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, hinted that the C1 is merely the beginning of Apple’s endeavors in this field.
Meanwhile, Andru Edwards got the chance to tour Apple’s modem testing facilities, providing an exclusive look into the development process of the new C1 modem.
In the Reuters interview, Srouji stated:
“We build a platform for generations. C1 is the start, and we will continually enhance this technology each generation so that it evolves into a platform to truly differentiate our products.”
Srouji further explained that Apple is not trying to compete with other modem manufacturers like Qualcomm in terms of specifications. Instead, the focus is on catering to the specific requirements of Apple’s products. “We are not looking to be a third-party vendor competing with Qualcomm and MediaTek. We’re creating something distinctly beneficial for our customers,” he said.
Andru’s video presents a captivating exploration of Apple’s modem testing labs where the C1 underwent extensive testing before being incorporated into the iPhone 16e.
Andru also learned about various intriguing features of the C1 during discussions with Srouji and Arun Mathias, Apple’s VP of Wireless Software. One fascinating aspect is the interaction between the C1 and the A18 chip in the iPhone 16e.
For instance, in areas with network congestion, the A18 chip can direct the C1 modem to intelligently handle traffic, ensuring priority for your immediate needs. If you’re sending a photo or video, the A18 will signal the C1 to prioritize that data transfer over other tasks.
Furthermore, Apple notes that the baseband modem in the C1 is fabricated using a 4-nanometer process, while the transceiver is built with a 7-nanometer process.
I highly encourage checking out Andru’s video, which we’ve included below.
