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Apple's C2 Modem Expected to Feature in Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

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Apple's next-generation C2 modem is expected to arrive in 2026, debuting in Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

apple c1
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that Apple is already testing the so-called C2 modem as well as its successor, the C3, which is expected to arrive in 2027, by which time Apple hopes it will "outdo Qualcomm's modem capabilities." MacRumors has previously reported that Apple is testing a C2 modem.

Apple's C1 modem debuted in the iPhone 16e, which the company unveiled last week. Apple says its first custom modem chip is the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever, contributing to the device having the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone ever, including the more expensive regular iPhone 16.

Gurman previously reported that Apple's second-generation 5G modem will debut in the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026 and in iPad Pro models by 2027. He said this modem will better compete with Qualcomm's modems in current iPhones by adding support for the ultra-fast 5G standard known as mmWave, a feature the C1 modem lacks.

Apple's rumored all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air is expected to be next in line to use the new C1 modem. The new slimmer device is expected to replace the Plus model in the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, which is expected to arrive in mid-September.

Tags: C1, Mark Gurman

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Top Rated Comments

jonnysods Avatar
jonnysods
18 months ago
No way I'm upgrading my phone until the C3 Ultra comes out. They essentiall put two C3 Pro's together with gorilla glue.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
V
vtrautia
18 months ago
No way! C1 this year and C2 next year. Who would have known?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
Kylo83
18 months ago
Can’t a chip do 5g and WiFi and Bluetooth or do they need to be separate
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zarmanto Avatar
zarmanto
18 months ago

I know some bash the C1 for missing mm compatibility, of course it's an important feature, but I am more curious about C1 power savings. ...
Agreed, but I find myself more wondering exactly how the C1 saves power, as compared to current Qualcomm offerings. Is it simply a matter of using the latest die fabrication process? Or... is it because of the absence of mmWave technology? Or something else?

If it's the first, than I'd speculate that the C2 should be an easy slam-dunk, at least until Qualcomm catches up. If the second, than Apple may have to offer users a software configurable option to disable mmWave in order to gain that improved battery life -- likely defaulted to off, since very few regions have deployments of mmWave anyway. I imagine in that scenario, they'll patent that "off switch," almost certainly resulting in much frustration and ridicule from their competitors and critics alike.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghostface147 Avatar
ghostface147
18 months ago

Apple should of waited until it’s better than the competition before putting their own one out
How do you determine you are better until you put it in customer hands for real world testing?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
Kylo83
18 months ago
Apple should of waited until it’s better than the competition before putting their own one out
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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