But here it’s a “The sky is falling, the sky is falling” event.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple's C1X Modem Faces First Reported Failure in iPhone Air
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
But here it’s a “The sky is falling, the sky is falling” event.
To be fair, some are saying "one out of millions" but we have no insight into how many others failed but weren't publicly reported. Many people have no understanding of the baseband tech. It's plausible that others have experienced the same failure, went to Apple or their carrier store, got a device swapped under warranty (as all iPhone Airs would still be under warranty right now), and went on their way without mentioning a word about it online.
Now, I'm the first person to criticize Apple's attempts to replace Qualcomm with this second-rate baseband, having had terrible experiences with the Intel modems that it's built upon. I still think it's well worth paying a premium for the tried-and-true Qualcomm baseband that doesn't have frequent audio cutouts during phone calls, even in good signal conditions. (Not as though Apple would lower the customer's price of these devices with the savings they're deriving from avoiding the Qualcomm baseband anyway.)
But even I'll concede that among millions of C1X units produced, that occasional failures that are not or cannot be identified during the manufacturing QA process is completely reasonable. It is for failures like these that warranties largely exist, and remain one of the few consumer protections that haven't been gutted (yet).
Now, I'm the first person to criticize Apple's attempts to replace Qualcomm with this second-rate baseband, having had terrible experiences with the Intel modems that it's built upon. I still think it's well worth paying a premium for the tried-and-true Qualcomm baseband that doesn't have frequent audio cutouts during phone calls, even in good signal conditions. (Not as though Apple would lower the customer's price of these devices with the savings they're deriving from avoiding the Qualcomm baseband anyway.)
But even I'll concede that among millions of C1X units produced, that occasional failures that are not or cannot be identified during the manufacturing QA process is completely reasonable. It is for failures like these that warranties largely exist, and remain one of the few consumer protections that haven't been gutted (yet).
Is this really a story based on one iPhone needing an in-warranty repair or replacement?
What's the Polymarket on Apple using Qualcomm modems again for iPhone 18?
This has been the most expensive boondoggle that "penny pincher" Tim Cook ever forced on Apple.
This has been the most expensive boondoggle that "penny pincher" Tim Cook ever forced on Apple.
HouseLannister
macrumors 68040
Where did that imaginary number come from? The Elec reported that they only made 18m units and then it severely underperformed in every market. Even if it was sold out and had zero returns, your number is ridiculous. The only sales data released was 200k were sold in China. They were hoping it would account for 10% of sales and by all reporting it is less than 3%. The Air is what is the failure, regardless of the modem.
definitive
macrumors 68020
apple is about to roll out a new round of free bumpers for a very small number of phones which will be experiencing this issue.
Gengar
macrumors 65816
The C1X Modem is the second revision. The C1 was in the iPhone 16e. Not to mention Qualcomm modems have also failed in iPhones before.
ChrisChaval
macrumors 6502a
It’s not exclusive to the C1X. It also happens on the 17 Pros. As someone who works at an Apple reseller store I’ve heard many complaints from our 17 Pro customers about the exact same issue.
Gengar
macrumors 65816
I have an iPhone 17 Pro Max and an iPhone Air and I've never had any issue with either connecting to 5G on T-Mobile's network. Most often, both connect to N25 (1900 MHz) and switch to N41 (2.5 GHz) when actively using data.
pradeepbabloo
macrumors regular
My iphone 13 had similar failure 3 years ago, with Qualcomm Baseband. So, whats the point of this news?
AppleTLDR
macrumors regular
I can’t believe Macrumors chose to run with this story and publish it. It’s nothing but pure rage bait barely disguised as ‘informative’. Zero disrespect to the author who is just doing their job. My concern isn’t the writing but rather the decision higher up to run this story and frame it in this way.
Mark my words there will be many iPhone Air units that have failed. Just like there will be many iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models that have failed. And some of those will be due to modem failures regardless of if it’s Apple or Qualcomm supplying the chip. Apple stores deal with customers with unit failures relating to signal all the time. That’s of course if the reported case really was down to the modem and not another issue like a faulty antenna or some loose solder amongst many other things.
A single isolated report being dressed up as some big event, is not only misrepresenting the scale of the issue (there will be others with failed units), but actively encourages feigned outrage. It’s nonsense reporting like this that damages consumer trust in a product. But it also damages the trust of informed readers in an outlet.
Mark my words there will be many iPhone Air units that have failed. Just like there will be many iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models that have failed. And some of those will be due to modem failures regardless of if it’s Apple or Qualcomm supplying the chip. Apple stores deal with customers with unit failures relating to signal all the time. That’s of course if the reported case really was down to the modem and not another issue like a faulty antenna or some loose solder amongst many other things.
A single isolated report being dressed up as some big event, is not only misrepresenting the scale of the issue (there will be others with failed units), but actively encourages feigned outrage. It’s nonsense reporting like this that damages consumer trust in a product. But it also damages the trust of informed readers in an outlet.
Or a weak solder connection that gave out.
ChrisChaval
macrumors 6502a
This thread is worse than a typical Reddit post. Didn’t know that was achievable.
ClaraStahlbaum
macrumors 6502a
And yet close to 200 million people buy new iPhones every single year (which always contain some form of first-gen tech) without any issues.
Every single A Series and M Series processor (for example) contains new technology from the latest process node to architectural changes on the silicon itself. Yet their processors have been unbelievably reliable.
Rafagon
macrumors 68000
Ursadorable
macrumors 65816
SactoGuy18
macrumors 603
Solution: do a "from scratch" install of iOS 26.3 on this problem phone. If the cellular connection problem persists, replace the phone.
this sounds like a fraudulent complaint. === "The device had reportedly been kept in a case since purchase and showed no signs of physical damage. "=== How many people keep their device in the original case and then load up with a dual Sim before even powering it on for the initial use?
avkills
macrumors 65816
My only response is that sometimes re-inventing the wheel that someone else has isn't always the best plan when the said "someone" is regarded as top of the line.
Maybe the licensing became too much of a burden (doubtful); but Apple has always had the mentality that they can always do better. In many scenarios Apple is better, but from an outsider from the company this just seems like a total waste of money researching and designing something someone else has that is already proven in the field.
Now CPU/GPU design is in a different ballpark because let's face it, Intel was sucking serious wind. Apple has done an incredible job on that front.
🤷♂️
Maybe the licensing became too much of a burden (doubtful); but Apple has always had the mentality that they can always do better. In many scenarios Apple is better, but from an outsider from the company this just seems like a total waste of money researching and designing something someone else has that is already proven in the field.
Now CPU/GPU design is in a different ballpark because let's face it, Intel was sucking serious wind. Apple has done an incredible job on that front.
🤷♂️
The_Gream
macrumors 6502
I bought my dad a 16e. I haven’t heard of any issues with that first gen C1 chip.
Rogifan
macrumors Penryn
Wasn’t there a Reddit story that blew up a while back about someone’s 17 Pro discoloring? Was it ever confirmed that it’s actually happening?
thmsnt
macrumors member
My iPhone Air has been running great since I got it last October.
The C1X, specifically, has given me great speeds/coverage/battery life.
I just completed an international trip to the Middle East and South Asia and roaming on networks there also worked flawlessly.
Love my Air!
The C1X, specifically, has given me great speeds/coverage/battery life.
I just completed an international trip to the Middle East and South Asia and roaming on networks there also worked flawlessly.
Love my Air!