iPhone 16 Pro Models Reportedly Boast Up to 26% Faster 5G Speeds

[MacRumors]

Apple's latest iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are delivering significantly faster 5G speeds compared to their predecessors, according to new data from SpeedSmart. The speed boost comes courtesy of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 modem integrated into the Pro models.

SpeedSmart's testing revealed an average 23.7% increase in 5G download speeds for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max across the three major U.S. carriers. Verizon customers saw the most substantial improvement, with a 26.4% speed increase, followed by AT&T and T-Mobile.

The data shows impressive performance for both T-Mobile and Verizon, with average download speeds exceeding 400 Mbps on the new iPhones. T-Mobile led the pack at 447.50 Mbps, while Verizon clocked in at 409.88 Mbps. AT&T users experienced a respectable 269.48 Mbps, marking a 25.7% improvement over the previous generation.

Upload speeds also saw a significant bump, with an average increase of 22.1% across all three networks. Users can now expect upload speeds to comfortably achieve over 30 Mbps, an often overlooked but crucial metric for mobile performance.

The Snapdragon X75 modem brings several enhancements beyond raw speed. It also supports 5G Advanced technology, offers lower power consumption, and comes with improved 5G carrier aggregation for those aforementioned upload speeds.

While the iPhone 16 Pro models benefit from the X75, the standard iPhone 16 models are believed to use the older Snapdragon X70 modem, although that has not yet been officially confirmed.

In addition to cellular improvements, all iPhone 16 models now support Wi-Fi 7. This latest Wi-Fi standard promises greater leaps in performance, with theoretical speeds of up to 46 Gbps and significantly reduced latency.

Despite these advancements, Apple continues to work on developing its own 5G modem technology. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple's in-house modems could debut in select iPhone models as early as 2025, perhaps first in the upcoming iPhone SE 4, potentially reducing the company's reliance on Qualcomm.

Apple will open pre-orders for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models starting Friday, September 13. Initial shipments and in-store availability begin on Friday, September 20.

Article Link: iPhone 16 Pro Models Reportedly Boast Up to 26% Faster 5G Speeds

 

[bigjnyc]

Will this help with building penetration? Or is this just speed related? My service absolutely stinks inside my office, in the middle of downtown Manhattan with Verizon..... Had the same issue with T-Mobile. It gets a little better if I force my phone on to LTE, but still pretty dismal.

 

[ralph_sws]

Warsaw, Poland, 15 pro max

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

The article reads like the iPhone 16's are out and people on those carriers are using them as part of this study. Who has the phones that took part in these tests?

 

[slippery-pete]

My Uncle Sal is going to be over the moon about this.

 

[Ramchi]

The speed I am getting in my 15 Pro Max is sufficient! Thanks for the higher speed though! Good for the 11 Pro Max buyers.

 

[Messier77]

Would this new modem help with fringe reception areas or is that purely the antenna (which I'm not sure was improved)? My phone (and all others) has one bar and latency of well over 1500ms at my house (although can get about 7mbps when it finally does connect).

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Warsaw, Poland, 15 pro max

Yes, I don't understand what this article is about. These speeds are nothing unusual here in Europe. On the contrary, I'd be disappointed if I only got those slow speeds.

 

[Glideslope]

Another good reason not to be an Apple Tester with the new modem on the 17.

 

[dotnet]

Warsaw, Poland, 15 pro max

I was about to say. The results in the article don't seem to be limited by the phone but rather the carrier. This from my iPhone 12 Pro a couple of years ago:

 

[Carrotstick]

Another good reason not to be an Apple Tester with the new modem on the 17.

The Apple modem will only be on the slim model

 

[AppleTO]

I’ve had 5G off since I received my 14 Pro. I don’t need anywhere near that much speed and would rather save a bit of battery.

 

[widestload]

Thats great, but in the real world of a good chunk of the UK still with patchy 4G, let alone 5G, my hope is that it offers stronger 4G signal reliability most of all.

 

[Damien]

Yeah I want to know if this will improve signal, mine struggles often

 

[AppleTO]

Will this help with building penetration? Or is this just speed related? My service absolutely stinks inside my office, in the middle of downtown Manhattan with Verizon..... Had the same issue with T-Mobile. It gets a little better if I force my phone on to LTE, but still pretty dismal.

Would this new modem help with fringe reception areas or is that purely the antenna (which I'm not sure was improved)? My phone (and all others) has latency of well over 1500ms at my house.

Curious about this too. My issue is always reception, never speed.

Thats great, but in the real world of a good chunk of the UK still with patchy 4G, let alone 5G, my hope is that it offers stronger 4G signal reliability most of all.

Most of Canada as well. I find all our networks patchy, all the time. Either that or I’ve had defective phones for the past 20 years.

 

[Chiromac81]

What about Canadian carrier speeds???

Curious about this too. My issue is always reception, never speed.

Most of Canada as well. I find all our networks patchy, all the time. Either that or I’ve had defective phones for the past 20 years.

 

[jbachandouris]

My issue is that one bar of service basically acts like no service. I shouldn’t need more than 1 bar to open Macrumors.
AT&T upstate NY

 

[mikethebigo]

I really miss Pacific Blue

 

[BBN1]

Thats great, but in the real world of a good chunk of the UK still with patchy 4G, let alone 5G, my hope is that it offers stronger 4G signal reliability most of all.

The reality for people who live in the SF bay area, Los Angeles, Phoenix and New York etc is very different. Not uncommon to get 1.2g down on 5G+/ 5uw in San Francisco.

Where this comes in handy are places where there are lots of users in a very tight space, where 5G cells are commonly used ( at least stateside) . Stadiums, airports, train stations and underground, in subway stations.

I am hoping int the future the AAPL modems mean the whole world uses the same model, as opposed to different models for different world regions to accommodate the diffierent 5G bands. Would be helpful for a traveller….

 

[Cirillo Gherardo]

Too bad they don't have 26% more powerful modems that can improve reception in poorly covered areas. That would actually matter, unlike data speeds.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Yes, I don't understand what this article is about. These speeds are nothing unusual here in Europe. On the contrary, I'd be disappointed if I only got those slow speeds.

What this graph shows me is the network operators have started throttling upload a lot more. It used to be symmetrical.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Alex...I'll take "things that are not needed for $500"

 

[dugbug]

wish you could force the phone to a lower frequency for better penetration and power savings. I don't really care about any more speed on a phone.

If you had home internet through cellular this would be good.

 

[Wizec]

Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband on my iPhone 15 Pro

 

[swarmster]

Agree with those above - aside from the question of how they tested unreleased hardware, this surely isn’t mmWave 5G like shown in the lead image and implied in text. I’ve seen >2200Mbps on a 14 Pro…