The fact that the modem first appears in an SE model, and not in a Pro, suggests that Apple knows that it’s not really up to snuff yet.
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Apple Unveils 'C1' as First Custom Cellular Modem
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I read that Apple will have an improved version coming in 2026 (probably called C2) that will easily match Qualcomm performance but with lower battery consumption rate. That newer version is the one that will end up in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with cellular connectivity.
Weird to me that they'd wait so long. The laptops have relatively enormous batteries - adding even a QC modem would probably negligibly effect battery life.
Guys this will not beat Qualcomm performance wise. It will just be more efficient and fine tuned tailored for Apple devices, which will allow way better battery 🔋 life while your on the go with Cellular.
In other news, CellularOne is readying a lawsuit over the chip’s “C1” name…
Just based on history I’m predicting a lot of customer complaints of this 1st gen apple cellular chip. You’re holding it wrong
I don't care if it's not as fast as Qualcomm with regard to top speeds, as long as there are no issues with maintaining signal, throughput, latency, etc. If it can maintain quality in those areas, and add that much battery life, it could be a win.
By 2030-2032 6G might be ready to be deployed at a slow pace just like 5G was. By then Apple might have replaced Qualcomm. It's just my own opinion and also a possibility of it happening.I hear the C3 version is going to be AMAZING, but the really cool stuff will come in the C5 modem
It’s a first generation modem that’s never been tested under real world conditions so why would Apple risk that on there steak 🥩 and potatoes 🥔 Pro Flagship iPhones?
Qualcomm Lawsuit incoming in 5… 4… 3… 2…
or in C7 because they want it to be the best, not first 🙃I hear the C3 version is going to be AMAZING, but the really cool stuff will come in the C5 modem
Unlikely to happen. Apple has said they will pay for the few parts of the modem that use something close to Qualcomm technology. This means Apple will pay a lot lower licensing fee than now.
This is (imo) exactly how a new modem should be tested. Modems are complex and there is probably no way to iron out all the issues without real world testing but the iPhone 16e (budget phone meant for less demanding customers) is a perfect low risk way to introduce this.
If they are able to match Qualcomm performance with better efficiency that would be huge. But as a Pro Max user, I have zero interest in being a guinea pig while paying top dollar. This gradual rollout is the way to go.
If they are able to match Qualcomm performance with better efficiency that would be huge. But as a Pro Max user, I have zero interest in being a guinea pig while paying top dollar. This gradual rollout is the way to go.
Qualcomm has a monopoly on Qualcomm modems, sure, but there ARE other modem vendors.
The device it replaces didn’t have mag safe.
Eh, possibly. I reach nowhere near the limits of Qualcomm tech anywhere I travel, so I can’t imagine this would be a downside for me.
They still must pay Qualcomm and Nokia.
There is no way to make *ANY* 4G or 5G LTE modem without infringing on the patents they hold.
I wonder how much of Verizon's "5G Ultrawide Band" (UWB) network is using C-Band vs. mmWave.
With Verizon aggressively pushing their UWB offerings, it would be a pretty poor user experience if a significant portion of that spectrum can't be accessed by a non-mmWave device like the 16E, but at the same time I have to imagine that the vast majority of their UWB network is using C-Band given the inherent limitations on mmWave.
Finally, their own chip, let's see where they take us in the future..
it doesn't have mm wave, we don't want it
A lot of people don’t realise that the M chips are the same. Performance per Watt is excellent but raw performance has always been beaten by competitors. For most people it makes no difference and battery life is probably more useful and probably the same here.
