iPhone 16: Qualcomm's Latest 5G Modem May Be Limited to Pro Models - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

iPhone 16: Qualcomm's Latest 5G Modem May Be Limited to Pro Models

by

Qualcomm's latest cellular modem may be limited to the iPhone 16 Pro models this year, according to technology analyst Jeff Pu.

iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature
In a research note today with investment firm Haitong International Securities, Pu reiterated his belief that the iPhone 16 Pro models will be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75 modem. However, he expects the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus to retain the Snapdragon X70 modem found in all iPhone 15 models. This modem differentiation between the standard and Pro models would be a change in strategy for Apple.

Announced in February 2023, the Snapdragon X75 features improved carrier aggregation and other technology advancements for faster 5G download and upload speeds compared to the X70. The modem's combined mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G transceiver takes up 25% less circuit board space, and uses up to 20% less power, according to The Verge.

The Snapdragon X75 also supports the latest "5G Advanced" standard, which is described as "the next phase of 5G" and an "evolution towards 6G." 5G Advanced will include artificial intelligence and machine learning enhancements for improved 5G performance, and it will also expand 5G to additional device types and use cases.

Apple is likely to advertise 5G Advanced support on the iPhone 16 Pro models, like it did with LTE Advanced on the iPhone 6s in 2015.

Apple is rumored to have been working on its own 5G modem for iPhones since 2018, but the project has reportedly faced development challenges, and the modem is not expected to be announced until 2025 or later should it ever materialize. In the meantime, Apple extended its 5G modem agreement with Qualcomm through 2026.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 16 lineup in September.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16
Tags: 5G, Jeff Pu, Qualcomm
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iCloud iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Get Two New Perks on iOS 27

Thursday July 2, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
If you pay for certain iCloud+ storage plans beyond the 5GB that Apple offers for free, you will receive two more perks on iOS 27 at no additional cost. A summary of the two new iCloud+ perks on iOS 27:Increased daily usage limits for some new Apple Intelligence features, including image generation in the revamped Image Playground app. HomeKit Secure Video cameras receive generated video...
Read Full Article • 51 comments
iPhone 4 on Black Feature

Apple Facing One of Its Worst Leaks Since the iPhone 4

Thursday July 2, 2026 9:53 am PDT by
Apple supplier Tata Electronics recently suffered a cyberattack that resulted in thousands of confidential files being published on the dark web, and this reportedly included some photos and documents related to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. We have elected not to share any of the leaked photos in this story due to the illegal nature in which they were obtained, but they can easily be found...
Read Full Article
American Express Gold Apple Pay Feature

American Express Announces New Apple Pay Feature

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:27 am PDT by
American Express today announced that you can now redeem Membership Rewards points when checking out with Apple Pay on the web and in apps on the iPhone and iPad. When checking out with Apple Pay on iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later, tap on your eligible American Express card (Platinum, Gold, Green, and others) and select the Membership Rewards points option. You can use points to cover all or...
Read Full Article • 15 comments

Top Rated Comments

G
gco212
32 months ago

The deal on regular iPhones keeps getting worse.


People need to figure out that Apple is currently doing a Jedi Mind Trick, the normal iPhone is now the iPhone SE and the iPhone Pro is the normal iPhone. They're selling year old tech in the normal iPhone but pretending it's still the bleeding edge.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coffeemilktea Avatar
coffeemilktea
32 months ago
I get that Apple needs to have "special" features on the Pro to get people to buy the more expensive models, but have phone upgrades gotten so underwhelming that Apple is resorting to "you better get the Pro or you won't have the cooler modem?" 🫢

(clearly all the cool kids have the X75 and not the X70 modem... I guess...? 🤡)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
cdsapplefan
32 months ago
Apple has to cut costs somewhere to appease shareholders
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
User 6502 Avatar
User 6502
32 months ago
It’s just pathetic at this point. Just get rid of the pro model and go back to when there was a single flagship iPhone each year.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reason077 Avatar
Reason077
32 months ago

5G Advanced will include artificial intelligence
So, 5G Advanced was actually originally going to include blockchain technology, but they had to pivot to AI instead because that’s the latest thing now. HYPE!!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Supercyborgninja Avatar
Supercyborgninja
32 months ago
Makes sense to continue differentiating..if the golden age of phone buying was still a thing.

But now most folks are keeping their phones for years on end(which is great considering the situation in Congo).

And so if you’re on year 5 of your phone and ready to upgrade, you’ll probably get the best phone you can knowing you’re a person that doesn’t upgrade for a long time.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments