Apple's C2 Modem Expected to Feature in Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple's next-generation C2 modem is expected to arrive in 2026, debuting in Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that Apple is already testing the so-called C2 modem as well as its successor, the C3, which is expected to arrive in 2027, by which time Apple hopes it will "outdo Qualcomm's modem capabilities." MacRumors has previously reported that Apple is testing a C2 modem.

Apple's C1 modem debuted in the iPhone 16e, which the company unveiled last week. Apple says its first custom modem chip is the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever, contributing to the device having the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone ever, including the more expensive regular iPhone 16.

Gurman previously reported that Apple's second-generation 5G modem will debut in the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026 and in iPad Pro models by 2027. He said this modem will better compete with Qualcomm's modems in current iPhones by adding support for the ultra-fast 5G standard known as mmWave, a feature the C1 modem lacks.

Apple's rumored all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air is expected to be next in line to use the new C1 modem. The new slimmer device is expected to replace the Plus model in the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, which is expected to arrive in mid-September.

Article Link: Apple's C2 Modem Expected to Feature in Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

 

[Kylo83]

Can’t a chip do 5g and WiFi and Bluetooth or do they need to be separate

 

[Kylo83]

Apple should of waited until it’s better than the competition before putting their own one out

 

[vtrautia]

No way! C1 this year and C2 next year. Who would have known?

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Can’t a chip do 5g and WiFi and Bluetooth or do they need to be separate

That's coming to iPhone and perhaps Macs too by 2030.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

No way! C1 this year and C2 next year. Who would have known?

To be fair, with Apple sometimes there's a two or more year gap on things. He's proposing a yearly iteration like A and M, and then by 2030 C chip becomes part of A and M chips. iPhone = one ring-ring to rule them all.

 

[calzon65]

I know some bash the C1 for missing mm compatibility, of course it's an important feature, but I am more curious about C1 power savings. When Apple moved to Apple silicon M series processors for their laptops, performance improved but what I really liked is that power consumption reduced.

So, I'm looking forward to seeing some power consumption stats on the iPhone 16e with the C1.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

I know some bash the C1 for missing mm compatibility, of course it's an important feature, but I am more curious about C1 power savings. When Apple moved to Apple silicon M series processors for their laptops, performance improved but what I really liked is that power consumption reduced.

So, I'm looking forward to seeing some power consumption stats on the iPhone 16e with the C1.

Some have said it's a 25% energy savings for those processes.

 

[Paddle1]

Gurman previously reported that Apple's second-generation 5G modem will debut in the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026 and in iPad Pro models by 2027. He said this modem will better compete with Qualcomm's modems in current iPhones by adding support for the ultra-fast 5G standard known as mmWave, a feature the C1 modem lacks.

The implication then is that the iPhone 16 will have better cellular connectivity than the iPhone 18 Pro? Why not keep it to the e series of phones until it's truly ready?

 

[thefrost]

Well that's crazy if true.

 

[jonnysods]

No way I'm upgrading my phone until the C3 Ultra comes out. They essentiall put two C3 Pro's together with gorilla glue.

 

[realeric]

That’s a good news. I can live with them. I will upgrade my iPhone in 2025 and then 2028.

 

[ghostface147]

Apple should of waited until it’s better than the competition before putting their own one out

How do you determine you are better until you put it in customer hands for real world testing?

 

[Smittywerben]

Apple should of waited until it’s better than the competition before putting their own one out

Depends if power consumption is as good as they claim I think most people would prefer C1.

 

[Populus]

The C1 cellular chip is built using both a 7nm process and a 5nm process, depending on the part of the chip, right? Then I guess all of the C2 will be made using the 5nm process, and maybe the C3 jumps to the 3nm process…

I may be wrong but my guess is that the iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will be the last iPhone coming with a Qualcomm modem. The iPhone 17 Air, though, is probably going to use the C1 for better power efficiency.

 

[IIGS User]

How do you determine you are better until you put it in customer hands for real world testing?

Amen. No piece of engineering can truly be considered to be put through testing until it’s in the hands of end users.

People in the real world think up all kinds of wacky ways to make stuff not work. And there are conditions that present themselves in every day use that couldn’t possibly be conceived of and tested out in a lab.

Sooner or later, you gotta push it out of the nest and see how it flies. That’s why they put it in the bargain phone first. Give it a run, shake out the bugs, etc.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Apple should of waited until it’s better than the competition before putting their own one out

Define "Better."

It already has better power efficiency. Introduction in a base-level phone like this makes sense to me at this stage.

 

[obviouslogic]

No way! C1 this year and C2 next year. Who would have known?

Personally I think the C2 will be out later this year and show up in iPads/Apple Watch. iPhones will still use Qualcomm (mainly due to an agreement with Qualcomm, which is the same licensing agreement that will keep Qualcomm from ever suing Apple over their C-series). And then the C3 in the Fall of ‘26 in iPhones.

Then we’ll start to see the modems become integrated into their SoCs in ‘27.

 

[obviouslogic]

Define "Better."

It already has better power efficiency. Introduction in a base-level phone like this makes sense to me at this stage.

There’s no such thing when it comes to this type of technology. The problem is that no one will have a consistently better experience, because everyone defines better to mean their own thing; power efficiency, stability, compatibility, etc. I’m guessing you can’t have all of it and you need to pick various aspects to improve upon over others. This is true for all design decisions.

 

[obviouslogic]

Apple should of waited until it’s better than the competition before putting their own one out

Apple is new to this field, Qualcomm has been around for many, many years developing this technology and iterating over and over. There is no way Apple could ever be expected to produce something that is “better” than what Qualcomm can produce.

What Apple has done is produce a design that concentrates on their goals; mainly power efficiency. They’ve reached that goal, so why not release it.

 

[Dark_Omen]

Apple says its first custom modem chip is the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever, contributing to the device having the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone ever, including the more expensive regular iPhone 16

Did Apple not provide any stats?

How long does the battery last compared to the 16?
How much RAM does it have?

Apple needs to pull their head out.

 

[zarmanto]

I know some bash the C1 for missing mm compatibility, of course it's an important feature, but I am more curious about C1 power savings. ...

Agreed, but I find myself more wondering exactly how the C1 saves power, as compared to current Qualcomm offerings. Is it simply a matter of using the latest die fabrication process? Or... is it because of the absence of mmWave technology? Or something else?

If it's the first, than I'd speculate that the C2 should be an easy slam-dunk, at least until Qualcomm catches up. If the second, than Apple may have to offer users a software configurable option to disable mmWave in order to gain that improved battery life -- likely defaulted to off, since very few regions have deployments of mmWave anyway. I imagine in that scenario, they'll patent that "off switch," almost certainly resulting in much frustration and ridicule from their competitors and critics alike.

 

[Tokenfreak]

So will the i Phone 17 Pro models not have the C1 and still use Qualcomm?

 

[svish]

Good to know about the expected timelines. Expecting better screen time/battery life with the use of C1. All Apple devices should be having the C series modem in the next 2 to 3 years.

 

[goonie4life9]

That's right, everybody, the C1 is OLD NEWS! It's time to get excited for the upcoming ALL NEW C2 chip! The C2 chip takes everything you love about the C1 to a whole new level. The ALL NEW C2 chip is the fastest, most powerful cellular chip that Apple has ever released in a cellular device. And Apple didn't stop there. The ALL NEW C2 chip now uses even less power, leading to a leap-forward in the great all-day battery life customers love. Oh, and there's one more thing. Apple didn't stop at the C2 chip. For the first time ever, Apple is proud to announce the C2 Pro chip, the most advanced cellular chip available. The C2 Pro chip allows for 2 gigabit cellular connections, which makes the features of the future available today. The ALL NEW C2 Pro chip is truly the cellular chip for pros!