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iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Have Different Modems

It looks like the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max may have different modems inside. On Apple's technical specifications page for the new devices, the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ lists Apple's C2 modem, but the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max lists no modem at all in the U.S.

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The same information is also listed on Apple's announcement for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models.

Both models feature N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. iPhone 18 Pro introduces C2, Apple's next-generation cellular modem system, which brings AI-powered improvements to cellular quality and reliability.

The lack of a C2 mention for the Pro Max might seem like a mistake at first glance, but the separate Pro and Pro Max model numbers actually list different LTE bands. On the U.S. Pro specification list, there's a Band 106, but there's no Band 106 on the Pro Max list.

It is not known why Apple would use different modems for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, but there were rumors before launch that some devices would continue to use Qualcomm modems.

Apple is also using the C2 modem for the iPhone Duo, so it's possible there were supply issues. It appears both the new ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max may use the C2 modem outside of the U.S., so the split could be U.S. only.

The C2 modem supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G, and Apple says it includes AI improvements to cellular quality and reliability. It is faster and more energy efficient than the C1X modem, but it's not yet clear how it compares to the Qualcomm modem in the 18 Pro Max.

Apple's new ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models will go on sale on September 18, with preorders to take place on September 12. Pricing on the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ starts at $1,199, while pricing on the 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299.

Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

headlessmike Avatar
1 week ago

So U.S. versions of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is using a Qualcomm modem? Probably the Qualcomm x85?

In markets outside the U.S. , both iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max appear to have C2 modem.
The US market model will get a US Robotics 56 kbps modem. I heard Tim Cook got a killer deal on them before retiring.



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Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1 week ago
Gotta hope this is an oversight in the explanation. The more expensive pro max not getting that hardware upgrade would be booty.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1 week ago
99.5% of ppl prob wont notice or even care
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
1 week ago

Isn't C2 missing mmWave that Qualcomm has? I'd rather have speed than battery life.
it was mentioned during the event that C2 will support mmWave in the US
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
1 week ago

Can you explain what you mean??? This is what I see on the US website

No "Apple C2 cellular modem" listed in the iPhone 18 Pro Max column

https://www.apple.com/iphone-18-pro/specs/




It is listed in other countries such as Brazil

https://www.apple.com/br/iphone-18-pro/specs/



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Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
1 week ago

In Poland the Pro Max doesn’t have the C2 Chip either. Mind you, all 3 models only support Sub-6 Ghz as we don’t have mmWave infrastructure at all lol.
Interesting.

Checking a few other countries, I see that in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Vietnam, Singapore, Denmark, Netherlands, etc., the Pro Max doesn't list the C2, while other countries like Canada, India, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Australia show the Pro and Pro Max both have the C2.

So it's not just the U.S. Confusing.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)