Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.


The new iPhone 16e includes Apple's first custom designed modem chip, the C1. To promote the new chip, Apple invited several YouTubers and journalists to Apple Park, including Andru Edwards. Edwards got a first-hand look at Apple's modem testing labs, and he was able to speak to Apple engineers about the C1.


According to Apple, the C1 is the most power efficient modem that's been included in an iPhone to date, and that's the edge that the C1 has over Qualcomm's modems. The iPhone 16e has the longest battery life of an iPhone with a 6.1-inch form factor, and it lasts for up to 26 hours when watching video.

At Apple's modem testing labs, Apple engineers spent years testing the C1, determining how it would behave under various conditions using a range of equipment. Apple's testing lab allows it to identify and fix issues before a modem chip ever leaves the design stage.

The C1 was tested in environmental chambers where it was exposed to different extreme temperatures to ensure that it can operate in the harshest conditions. Repeated physical tests also ensure that the chip is able to stand up to daily wear and tear. Network tests cover the heavy data traffic of a packed stadium to remote rural areas with minimal signal.

Apple tested the C1 with over 180 carriers across 55 countries to ensure that it delivers reliable connectivity. The C1 is designed to integrate with the A18 chip, with the A18 able to optimize C1 network load for faster speeds.

According to Apple, the C1 is built on a 4-nanometer processor for the baseband and a 7-nanometer process for the transceiver, and it is a robust platform that's built for the future. Right now, the C1 does not support the faster mmWave 5G speeds, but future versions are likely to add the functionality.

Rumors suggest that a next-generation C2 chip is already in development for future iPhone models.

Article Link: Here's a Look at Apple's Secret Modem Testing Lab Where C1 Was Developed
High or drunk in the system
 
How much power savings is there? Funny that they didn't quantify it.
If you compare the phone to a similar iPhone using the same CPU + battery, you will be able to estimate it by looking at the differences in additional run time. Obviously a ton of other assumptions (screen, more efficient hamsters, etc.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: SammyG7 and mjs916
There is a lot happening in that video.

The units being shown are truly test shells. Testing internals with a special iOS version highly specialized and limited functionality. Teams get new variants and don’t know what they’re actually testing just told to test it. Highly compartmented so no one person knows what is inside. Goes on like this year after year. These test engineers just take what is given to them each day. One could be A18 or A19. No doubt this modem (C1 just marketing mumble) has been in testing for years. Everyone I know knows apple has been stuck in dev loop on this thing since 2019. The Intel stack they bought gave them IP but not the know how. Remember, intel, gazillion dollar business couldn’t figure out how to make a good modem (god they sucked)!

Anyway…C1 is just a test bed. C2+ in iPhone 17 will be the biggest component to that release that will be slept on. A19+C2/3 already on that test bed shell!
 
“Apple announced its agreement to acquire the majority of Intels smartphone modem business on July 25, 2019, in a transaction valued at $1 billion. The acquisition was completed on December 2, 2019.

This strategic move enabled Apple to enhance its wireless technology capabilities by adding over 17,000 wireless technology patents to its portfolio and integrating approximately 2,200 Intel employees into its workforce.”

Src: internet
 
  • Love
Reactions: racerhomie
Interesting video. Waiting to see real life speeds and signal strength once the device is available. Will be interesting to see the future version of this chip as it will be in most of Apple's devices.
 
Does it have AI like the Qualcomm chips? my 16 Pro holds onto signals like its got a iron grip, better than my 14 Pro, I just don’t trust Apple to get such a polished chip with amazing battery life without missing features. Time will tell, after all its designed to save Apple money and give us "reliable connectivity" but does it have Apples equivalent of Qualcomm's features of the X75?

  • Qualcomm® 5G AI Suite Gen 2 includes
    • Sensor modem RF solution for mmWave beam management
    • AI-enhanced channel state feedback (CSF)
    • AI-enhanced antenna tuning
    • AI-enhanced GNSS Location Gen 2
  • Qualcomm® 5G AI Processor Gen 2 with dedicated tensor accelerator
  • Converged mmWave-sub6 Transceiver
  • 3GPP Release 17 and Release 18 support
  • Qualcomm® QTM565 mmWave module
  • Qualcomm® Advanced Modem-RF Software Suite includes
    • Qualcomm® Smart Network Selection Gen 2
    • Qualcomm® DSDA Gen 2 (Dual Data)
    • Advanced Interference Cancelation
  • Qualcomm® 5G PowerSave Gen 4
  • Qualcomm® Smart Transmit™ Gen 4 technology with Snapdragon® Satellite support
  • Qualcomm® Power RF Efficiency Suite
  • Qualcomm® RF Downlink Boost
 
Last edited:
Meh. If you don't believe Apple has multiple versions and features already in the works, you don't understand how R&D works.
Its not R&D, forced upgrades is what you need to talk about.
 
The way this guy describes how the C1 prioritises traffic makes me want an Apple modem in my next iPhone and iPad. It's making me think maybe Qualcomm modems don't do this prioritisation and that I'm getting a sub-par experience with an Apple modem.
 


The new iPhone 16e includes Apple's first custom designed modem chip, the C1. To promote the new chip, Apple invited several YouTubers and journalists to Apple Park, including Andru Edwards. Edwards got a first-hand look at Apple's modem testing labs, and he was able to speak to Apple engineers about the C1.


According to Apple, the C1 is the most power efficient modem that's been included in an iPhone to date, and that's the edge that the C1 has over Qualcomm's modems. The iPhone 16e has the longest battery life of an iPhone with a 6.1-inch form factor, and it lasts for up to 26 hours when watching video.

At Apple's modem testing labs, Apple engineers spent years testing the C1, determining how it would behave under various conditions using a range of equipment. Apple's testing lab allows it to identify and fix issues before a modem chip ever leaves the design stage.

The C1 was tested in environmental chambers where it was exposed to different extreme temperatures to ensure that it can operate in the harshest conditions. Repeated physical tests also ensure that the chip is able to stand up to daily wear and tear. Network tests cover the heavy data traffic of a packed stadium to remote rural areas with minimal signal.

Apple tested the C1 with over 180 carriers across 55 countries to ensure that it delivers reliable connectivity. The C1 is designed to integrate with the A18 chip, with the A18 able to optimize C1 network load for faster speeds.

According to Apple, the C1 is built on a 4-nanometer processor for the baseband and a 7-nanometer process for the transceiver, and it is a robust platform that's built for the future. Right now, the C1 does not support the faster mmWave 5G speeds, but future versions are likely to add the functionality.

Rumors suggest that a next-generation C2 chip is already in development for future iPhone models.

Article Link: Here's a Look at Apple's Secret Modem Testing Lab Where C1 Was Developed
Just for my info, do you know if anybody invited has ever criticised any i-product?
 
  • Angry
Reactions: racerhomie
not so secret anymore ;)

Does make you wonder what's hidden in the caverns of the spaceship or down the road at the old Apple HQ. I was friends with a couple who worked at high levels at Apple. One of them worked in one of their secret labs and wasn't allowed to talk about it even to their spouse so we only knew vague outlines of what that person was doing all day. It had something to do with sound.

Several years later they were finally able to reveal their work when Apple published a walkthrough of the secret audio lab they were working in. We found out by way of a link to a video that person sent to all their friends.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: racerhomie
As far as I am concerned, power usage merely has to be no worse than my 15PM - and that only charging to 85%. What I want is better connectivity with very poor 3G/4G/5G and wifi signals.

I have plenty of battery to run maps for navigation and general use wherever I go without charging.

Fully recognising that everyone has their own pattern of usage.
 
One would hope they test out in the real world situations also

While a testing lab is important, where Intel and Apple have failed with RF is in real world use. It might work great in the lab, but how does it perform with 1000s of other devices nearby?

Exactly my thought

Many Apple products over the years have ended up leaving users with a feeling of "did anyone test this outside the lab or Apple's own local area?"
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: nt5672 and Chuckeee
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.