Apple has joined the small group of companies developing 5G modems with its first model, the C1, featured in the iPhone 16e. While it emphasizes power efficiency, the C1 lacks support for mmWave technology, which limits its use in higher-end iPhones. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicates that a refreshed C1, set to launch next year, will address this limitation by adding mmWave transceivers to achieve faster 5G speeds. The iPhone 17 Air will utilize the C1, while other models will continue using Qualcomm modems. The future of an upgraded Apple C2 is currently unknown.
Only a handful of companies are producing their own 5G modems, and as of last week, Apple has joined this group. Their inaugural model is the Apple C1, which is integrated into the iPhone 16e. While Apple highlights its efficiency, the C1 has certain limitations that will restrict its use in higher-end iPhones.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has stated that Apple is developing a “refreshed C1” for release next year, which aims to address the critical limitation of lacking mmWave support.
The current iteration of the C1 is designed for sub-6GHz 5G only. It features a 4nm or 5nm baseband, 7nm low-frequency transceivers, 7nm components for intermediate frequencies, and a 55nm Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC).
Kuo suggests that it is improbable for Apple to transition the baseband to 3nm in the upcoming version, as it is not the most power-intensive part of a 5G modem, meaning there are minimal benefits to such a shift.
Apple’s plan includes adding mmWave transceivers and front-end components, utilizing a 28nm process, to support the highest 5G speeds available (where mmWave coverage exists). Kuo notes that while enabling mmWave functionality is not overly complicated, achieving a stable and power-efficient mmWave modem poses challenges.
Previously, Kuo indicated that the iPhone 17 Air would utilize the C1 chip along with Apple’s own Wi-Fi chip. However, the remainder of the iPhone 17 lineup is expected to continue using Qualcomm’s 5G modem while incorporating the Apple Wi-Fi chip (Apple had previously partnered with Broadcom for this purpose).
It remains uncertain if existing agreements or the absence of mmWave support will preclude the C1 from being included in most iPhone 17 models. Nevertheless, it’s quite possible that a greater number of iPhone 18 models (and not just the next Air) will feature the updated C1 modem next year. Information regarding a more advanced version, dubbed Apple C2, has yet to be disclosed.
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