Apple's C1 Modem Debut Suggests iPhone 17 Air Will Lack mmWave

[MacRumors]

Apple's first custom-designed modem chip, the C1, has finally made its debut in the iPhone 16e, which Apple announced on Wednesday. It's a significant milestone in the company's efforts to reduce reliance on external suppliers like Qualcomm. However, the C1 lacks support for ultra-fast mmWave 5G technology, and the chip's limitations are expected to extend to the upcoming ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air.

While touted by Apple as their most power-efficient cellular chip to date, the C1 modem currently supports only sub-6GHz 5G networks. This means users won't have access to the exceptionally fast speeds that mmWave technology can provide in specific locations such as stadiums, airports, and dense urban areas.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 Air will utilize the same C1 modem, suggesting it too will lack mmWave support. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to continue using Qualcomm modems, so they will retain access to the full spectrum of 5G capabilities, including mmWave.

The distinction between mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G is worth noting. While mmWave offers ultra-fast speeds at short distances, making it ideal for crowded urban environments, sub-6GHz 5G provides broader coverage with slower but still capable speeds. In many countries, sub-6GHz networks remain more prevalent than mmWave installations.

According to Gurman, Apple is already developing its second-generation 5G modem, which will include mmWave support. This improved chip is expected to debut in the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026, promising theoretical download speeds of up to 6 Gbps, which is a significant increase from the C1's reported 4 Gbps capability. In 2027, Gurman expects Apple to release its third-generation modem. Apple is apparently aiming for this modem to top Qualcomm's modems in terms of performance and AI features.

• iPhone 17 Air Design, Specs, and More: All the Rumors So Far

Apple's current agreement with Qualcomm extends through 2026, giving Apple ample time to perfect its modem technology while it has access to Qualcomm's modems for its premium iPhone models.

Article Link: Apple's C1 Modem Debut Suggests iPhone 17 Air Will Lack mmWave

 

[phill85]

I’m getting the 17 Pro max now since there’s a high likelihood that’s the last iPhone with a Qualcomm modem… which is certainly one way for Apple to increase sales😅

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I've had mmWave since the 12 and I don't think I've ever used it.

 

[Smittywerben]

If it's truly more power efficient why not use it on Pro variants? for the 5 people who use mmWave?

 

[MacBirdy]

If it's truly more power efficient why not use it on Pro variants? for the 5 people who use mmWave?

Because thy need to put the Qualcomm modems, which they have a agreement on, into something.

 

[Roll0]

That camera bump...

 

[Marty80]

Its time for Apple fanboys to ‘Air’ out there grievances.

 

[wanha]

If it's truly more power efficient why not use it on Pro variants? for the 5 people who use mmWave?

my educated guess is that the C1 chip lacks WiFi 7 and Threads networking (that would explain why they are absent from the 16E) and until those are added, Apple can’t expand the C1 to higher end devices

 

[thefrost]

It's not a big deal.

 

[b17777]

And why do I need AI in my modem exactly ?

 

[zilchfox]

I don’t think I’ve ever used mmWave on any of my devices yet, so…. Fine with me?

 

[Palliser]

We will survive.

 

[newyorksole]

interesting that it’s called C”1”. so I guess there will be a second generation eventually that maybe can do mmWave?

I don’t imagine it’ll get updated too often similar to the H1.

 

[throAU]

this is of course assuming that C1 will be used in the more expensive non-budget phone.

doubt it?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

And why do I need AI in my modem exactly ?

Apparently like "cloud" this and "cloud" that a few years ago, money flows more easily with AI this & that. I expect Charmin to launch AI-infused TP soon- "...the "smartest" TP we've ever 'rolled' out. Only $11.99 per roll. We think you'll love it."

 

[gphome]

If it's truly more power efficient why not use it on Pro variants? for the 5 people who use mmWave?

We'll see what the testing shows, but it is very unlikely to match the performance of Qualcomm modems. If buying the pro model, you want the best, and currently that is Qualcomm modems not Apple. If the performance of this modem is good then maybe, however I highly suspect we'll start seeing videos where the Qualcomm modem in the iPhone 16 outperforming this one. The difference in power draw will be negligible in overall power usage (screen, processor etc.) BUT in a mobile phone signal power and strength means a lot.

 

[gphome]

this is of course assuming that C1 will be used in the more expensive non-budget phone.

doubt it?

Depends on performance, Apple won't use it in higher up models if the performance cannot match Qualcomm modems, as that's an easy marketing win for Samsung, Google etc otherwise. As Apple haven't exactly been shouting from the rooftops about this modem tells me it has adequate performance only.

 

[wanha]

And why do I need AI in my modem exactly ?

because adding even moderate intelligence to something that is unintelligent can have significant benefits

 

[throAU]

Depends on performance, Apple won't use it in higher up models if the performance cannot match Qualcomm modems, as that's an easy marketing win for Samsung, Google etc otherwise.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking.

Not sure if the 17 will use Qualcomm though, maybe by then they'll have C2 ready. Really suspect C1 is a short lived chip used in the 16E to get some real world testing in advance of releasing a more full featured modem.

Apple REALLY don't want to be paying Qualcomm, but they also can't afford to YOLO it and switch the entire product line including high end phones to something that hasn't been real-world battle tested.

16E is an ideal testing ground for it.

 

[gphome]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking.

Not sure if the 17 will use Qualcomm though, maybe by then they'll have C2 ready. Really suspect C1 is a short lived chip used in the 16E to get some real world testing in advance of releasing a more full featured modem.

17 pro will 100% be Qualcomm, they will want to be confident that the C1/C2 etc can match performance. With reduced iPhone sales they cannot afford a PR gaff like putting a sub-par modem in the pro models. We might see the C1/C2 in the standard iphone 17.

 

[b17777]

Apparently like "cloud" this and "cloud" that a few years ago, money flows more easily with AI this & that. I expect Charmin to launch AI-infused TP soon- the "smartest" TP we've ever 'rolled' out. Only $11.99 per roll. We think you'll love it.

I guess if Siri could match my foul mouth and blurt out loud "THERE'S NO Fu*%$#ing SERVICE RIGHT NOW"
I'd be good with it.

 

[spartan1967]

My upload speeds on 5G are still slower than LTE on my 13 Mini where I live. Plus 5G noticeably burns more battery. I live in a developed suburban area with 2 cell towers 1 a mile apart from me & each other.

 

[McScooby]

It’s reserved for the C2 Explosive Edition!🤣

 

[racerhomie]

Apparently like "cloud" this and "cloud" that a few years ago, money flows more easily with AI this & that. I expect Charmin to launch AI-infused TP soon- "...the "smartest" TP we've ever 'rolled' out. Only $11.99 per roll. We think you'll love it."

I would love me some smart toilet paper 😂

 

[lkrupp]

Not supporting mmWave is not an issue for the common user, and especially the economy minded Apple customer who doesn’t need it. In fact no one actually no one needs mmWave on a phone. My iPhone 16Pro (with the celebrated Qualcomm modem) often switches between 5G, 5G mmWave, and LTE during the day depending on where I am in relation to the tower I’m on. Not an issue.

That being said the techie wannabes, the haters, Samsung’s marketing department will be outraged and apoplectic. I can see the Samsung ads already, showing iPhone 16e owners drumming their fingers while their emails download.

Get ready for the “speed test” crowd to caterwaul to the high heavens. Oh the pain!