Apple is reportedly planning to combine its in-house 5G mobile modem into the primary chipset. As per the report, the corporate is already testing the successor to the C1 modem, with an eventual purpose of decreasing dependence on the Qualcomm-sourced element. After being rumoured for months, the Cupertino-based tech large lastly launched its first mobile modem with the iPhone 16e handset. Nevertheless, presently, the modem occupies a separate slot within the gadget’s motherboard, which isn’t optimum for power effectivity or value discount.
Apple to Reportedly Combine Its Modem With Essential Chipset
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in his Energy On e-newsletter that the tech large is presently internally testing the C2 and C3 modems (anticipated names), which will likely be launched because the successor to the C1 5G mobile modem. Citing unnamed sources, the report claimed that the C2 modem may debut in 2026 and be featured throughout the corporate’s 2026 iPhone lineup.
Gurman claimed that Apple’s in-house modem is presently not as highly effective because the Qualcomm counterpart that’s used within the iPhone 16 fashions, which might be one of many the explanation why the tech large didn’t speak a lot concerning the milestone with the iPhone 16e launch. The corporate did declare that the C1 modem is the “most power-efficient modem ever” on an iPhone, nevertheless, effectivity is a extra convoluted metric to measure.
Apple is reportedly anticipated to surpass Qualcomm with the third iteration of the modem, which may arrive in 2027. Gurman claimed that the modem might be fitted in an unbiased slot until that time. Apple reportedly doesn’t have plans to combine the modem into the primary chipset until 2028. It’s mentioned that the combination is a part of the corporate’s long-term roadmap as it will supply each higher power optimisation in addition to value discount.
Notably, as per Apple’s technical specs for the iPhone 16e, the C1 modem lacks assist for mmWave, which is a particularly excessive frequency (EHF) band. It may dampen the obtain and add speeds on the telephone.
