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iPhone 16e C1 modem: performance is lacking… results so far.
- Thread starter waquzy
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What about memory bandwidth and Metal Score? Thermal performance (fan vs no fan) effect on sustained CPU performance?
Yes, but in reality, the maximum bitrate of sky is about 25mbps, so maybe those numbers don't tell the real story. It will make a difference for PS5 downloads, though. How is the latency on both phones?
Are these different eSims? Have you tried swapping the eSims between both phones? I still suspect there might be a plan-related issue. In any case, I'd check with Three support.
Quick update: went to my local Three store and got myself a physical sim so I can test it properly by swapping the sim between the iPhones.
Got home and I used hotspot to my MacBook Pro and started downloading large files etc. The difference is there unfortunately: iPhone 16e maxes out around 10mbps while iPhone 14 Pro maxes out at 40mbps. Blimey, no good.
So, I've decided to return the 16e(really like the phone however, minimalistic and very light). The difference in performance is too noticeable for my user case.
Got home and I used hotspot to my MacBook Pro and started downloading large files etc. The difference is there unfortunately: iPhone 16e maxes out around 10mbps while iPhone 14 Pro maxes out at 40mbps. Blimey, no good.
So, I've decided to return the 16e(really like the phone however, minimalistic and very light). The difference in performance is too noticeable for my user case.
Whatever makes you think that going from a top end model to a bargain model is an "upgrade?" Newer does not necessarily mean better if one also downgrades.
[Comment not intended to diagnose the specific problem, as I am unfamiliar with the local issues and have never used iPhone hotspot in such a primary way. I use a WiFi 6E modem as a wireless access point on top of good incoming internet access.]
Given your extreme usage of the hotspot, which I have never seen before…why did you “upgrade” to the 16e in the first place?
To put it simply: I wanted a lighter phone, it’s 40 grams lighter.
Also the battery is pretty bad on my 2 year old 14 Pro. It also has a shattered back glass. So there were a few reasons. I couldn’t care less about the cameras etc. I just didn’t think the modem would be an issue. What a letdown
Maybe you should try the regular 16. It will have the same modem as the 16 Pro I think, and its super light like the 16e.
I mean, it is an extreme use-case but I get it now why you moved on. I think for your needs you’re gonna have to stick with the Qualcomm modems for a few years.
I’m considering it…
Looks like they have 15 Pro refurbished for £780. While not as light as 16e, still 20 grams lighter than 14 Pro. Might get that one instead. Will see
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I think you've just found a reason why it'd be better to have a dedicated hotspot router. By using the iPhone as your hotspot device, you're very likely putting extra stress/wear on the battery.
What's the cost to replace the iPhone battery or buying a new iPhone vs the cost for a dedicated hotspot router?
That's what I'd suggest trying, you can always return if something doesn't work out as you'd like. I have a 15 Pro and it's a great phone, still working well almost 2 years after I bought it.
My battery is at 83% after 2 years of hotspotting. So it ain’t that bad. Dedicated router with an unlimited monthly plan would be around £30 a month. Not worth it mate. I could easily just carry on with my 14 Pro, but I want a lighter phone. USB C port would also be nice to have.
Thanks for providing the stats and doing the tests. It's a shame that the performance was not as good. The tests I saw on the 16e showed that it should have performance "about the same" but with lower power consumption, IIRC (given that you're not using mmWave).
It would be interesting to see other real world tests too.
It would be interesting to see other real world tests too.
Also, I’ve realised doing just the basic speed test via Ookla etc means f*** all. It’s not the most accurate way of testing that’s for sure.
As you can see my last speed test was ok on the 16e. However a real life test was actually downloading a large file and the results were decisive. 16e is 3-4 times slower than my 14 Pro. Did multiple files etc. Not good enough for my user case. That’s why I decided to return the phone.
Hey iPhone 16e users! Guess what? I met a super cool guy who has an Apple Watch Edition Series 7 titanium and an iPhone 14 Pro in space black. And get this, he used to work at Apple as a semiconductor manufacturer! We had an awesome one-on-one chat yesterday at my afternoon CNC class. He shadowed my class while we had fun talking about his experience at Apple and becoming VP for my club next year as I’m graduating.
We talked about the A-series and S-series Apple Watch chips, and he shared his incredible experience producing chips for iPhones and iPads.
He told me that Apple can produce up to 10 processors per minute in their factories! Can you believe that? They make up to 1.6 million of them! And get this, they have 100 different varieties of Apple silicon. He was at Apple before ARM-based Mac chips were made and worked there from the iPhone 6 to the iPhone XS (2015-2018). He even served in the military as a marine as an industrial engineer in the 2000s!
We also discussed the 16e C1 chip and how Apple is doing more first-party processors, silicon, and modems than in the past decade. It seems like they want to upgrade their systems to be faster and more powerful, but still last longer.
Oh, and he even did some iPhone repairs himself! He explained the right to repair of iPhones and iPads when he replaced the iPhone 13 Pro screen with an OEM display he found on Amazon. It was cheaper than the Apple self-service repair website, and it had all the ICs and connectors that the Apple one did. He couldn’t believe that these parts were being sold to other companies for OEM, not just Apple’s authorised service providers. Learnt lots of new things from a former Apple employee, lifelong Apple fan.
Now, I have his number and can DM him in Canvas. If you have any questions or need insider info about the unique C1/A18s your iPhone 16es run or the evolution of the recent Apple silicon, let me know. I’ll pass on your questions to my industry colleague.
Yes it does. But it’s lacking in performance. For most ppl it’s ok. For my user case it’s not. Simple.
Faster is always better.
Why do we need gigabyte internet anyways? Why do some people uses 10gbps?
Don’t give Apple passes if they are lackluster
How is this even a measure of "C1 performance"?
Not only could I not imagine tethering cellular as my home internet, I couldn't possibly fathom upgrading to a worse phone to continue doing it.
Not only could I not imagine tethering cellular as my home internet, I couldn't possibly fathom upgrading to a worse phone to continue doing it.
in home internet yes , you need faster speed for gaming, watching, multiple streams at once. on mobile internet (lte or 5g) why we need gigabit speeds?
coming to apple / qualcomn, for them its a marketing trick to sell things