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iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Feature Apple's New C2 Modem [Updated]

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Apple today unveiled new iPhone 18 Pro models and the iPhone Duo – the company's first foldable iPhone – and both the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo feature Apple's new custom-designed C2 modem for 5G connectivity.

iphone duo c2
Prior to today's announcements, there was speculation that Apple's C2 in-house modem would not support mmWave 5G in the U.S., and that the company would once again rely on Qualcomm to fill the gap for American carriers. Apparently, that's not the case, at least as far mmWave support goes.

Apple's press release for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and the tech specs page for the two models appear to indicate that the C2 modem is limited to only the smaller iPhone 18 Pro model, leaving the iPhone 18 Pro Max on Qualcomm modems. The reason for the distinction is unclear given the near identical capabilities of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

Apple says the C2 brings AI-powered improvements to cellular quality and reliability, and now supports mmWave in the U.S. The company claims the C2 also delivers meaningfully faster uploads when compared to C1X while consuming 15 percent less energy.

As for mmWave support, Apple's U.S. specifications list bands n258, n260, and n261, alongside sub-6GHz 5G with 4×4 MIMO, but the UK specifications list sub-6GHz only.

Meanwhile, both models feature the N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max come in burgundy, glacier, silver, and black colors, with prices starting at $1,199 and $1,299, respectively. Both models come in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage options and will be available to order September 12.

iPhone Duo is available in star white and night sky colors, and starts at $1,999, coming in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage capacities. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo begin on Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23.

Update: This article originally stated that all three models include the C2 modem, but it appears the iPhone 18 Pro Max does not in fact include it.

Related Roundups: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Duo
Tags: Apple 5G Modem Guide, September 2026 Apple Event
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 18 Pro (Buy Now), iPhone Duo (Coming Soon)
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

IIGS User Avatar
IIGS User
1 week ago
mmWave support from the C2 was probably the best kept secret of the announcement. Everyone expected Qualcomm chips in the US 18 Pro phones.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K
KPOM
1 week ago
Perhaps Apple is just fulfilling a contractual requirement with Qualcomm.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CPmav Avatar
CPmav
1 week ago

did you even bother to read the very fist sentence of the article?
Check the update on the article.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R
Roller
1 week ago

did you even bother to read the very fist sentence of the article?
If the Pro Max uses C2, why does Apple's spec page only show it in the Pro, not the Pro Max (in the U.S. market)?



Attachment Image
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J
jujubi
1 week ago
Website typo? Doesn’t show C2 on the iPhone Pro max
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
U
Unregistered 4U
1 week ago

In the data leak earlier in the summer there was confirmation there would be different modems in the eSIM only vs physical SIM (international) models.

The speculation was that the US model would continue to use Qualcomm modems.

The C-series modems are so superior. It will be a huge and underrated upgrade. It was one of the best parts of the iPhone Air imo.
And the iPad Pro. That modem’s ability to achieve perfectly usable bandwidth in areas where my iPhone 17 Pro Max just gave up is amazing. People with Apple Modems are going to be able to be used in areas where Qualcomm modems consider it a dead zone. Apple should not be this much better at modems and SoC’s than Qualcomm and Intel, but here we are.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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