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iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Have Different Modems

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It looks like the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may have different modems inside. On Apple's technical specifications page for the new devices, the iPhone 18 Pro lists Apple's C2 modem, but the iPhone 18 Pro Max lists no modem at all in the U.S.

iPhone-18-Pro-16x9-1.jpg

The same information is also listed on Apple's announcement for the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Both models feature N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. iPhone 18 Pro introduces C2, Apple's next-generation cellular modem system, which brings AI-powered improvements to cellular quality and reliability.
Click to expand...
The lack of a C2 mention for the Pro Max might seem like a mistake at first glance, but the separate Pro and Pro Max model numbers actually list different LTE bands. On the U.S. Pro specification list, there's a Band 106, but there's no Band 106 on the Pro Max list.

It is not known why Apple would use different modems for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but there were rumors before launch that some devices would continue to use Qualcomm modems.

Apple is also using the C2 modem for the iPhone Duo, so it's possible there were supply issues. It appears both the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may use the C2 modem outside of the U.S., so the split could be U.S. only.

The C2 modem supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G, and Apple says it includes AI improvements to cellular quality and reliability. It is faster and more energy efficient than the C1X modem, but it's not yet clear how it compares to the Qualcomm modem in the 18 Pro Max.

Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro models will go on sale on September 18, with preorders to take place on September 12. Pricing on the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while pricing on the 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299.

Article Link: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Have Different Modems
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-18-pro-different-modem/
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So U.S. versions of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is using a Qualcomm modem? Probably the Qualcomm x85?

In markets outside the U.S. , both iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max appear to have C2 modem.
 
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  • Disagree
Reactions: Volk.JP
Surprised that the Pro Max is not getting Apple modem at least in the US. In my country both the Pro and Pro Max is having C2 as per Apple website. C2 modem should help with better battery life and improved connectivity.
 
svish said:
Surprised that the Pro Max is not getting Apple modem at least in the US. In my country both the Pro and Pro Max is having C2 as per Apple website. C2 modem should help with better battery life and improved connectivity.
Click to expand...
Isn't C2 missing mmWave that Qualcomm has? I'd rather have speed than battery life.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: sparepillow
Perhaps they're migrating away from Qualcomm period, but need to leave an option on the table in case a specific category of customer is not well served by C2. I commented on Qualcomm's device price royalty (3-5% of device price) in another thread.

I suspect that there are edge case compatibility issues with C2, because cellular infrastructure is engineered to work best with Qualcomm. There may also be signal strength or download issues in specific situations. For those folks - they will at least have one device they can fall back on if they want an iPhone.
 
it would be helpful to know which one is designed by the exploding-pager engineers. to be activated on the whims of the epst3in class.
 
svish said:
Surprised that the Pro Max is not getting Apple modem at least in the US. In my country both the Pro and Pro Max is having C2 as per Apple website. C2 modem should help with better battery life and improved connectivity.
Click to expand...
Apple's U.S. Press Release only says the iPhone 18 Pro has the C2. No mention of what the 18 Pro Max has.

www.apple.com

Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

Apple announced iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, delivering an advanced pro camera system and improved battery life and performance.
www.apple.com

Both models feature N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. iPhone 18 Pro introduces C2, Apple’s next-generation cellular modem system, which brings AI-powered improvements to cellular quality and reliability. C2 delivers meaningfully faster uploads when compared to C1X while consuming 15 percent less energy, and now supports mmWave in the U.S.
 
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Just a note--beyond a technical reason(s) for this apparent choice, don't forget that there are often contractual and supply reasons for things. In the past, Apple and Qualcomm have (eventually) disclosed that they had agreements for certain specific modems to be used in certain specific phones. Maybe this is an example of where, years ago, they signed an agreement for an iPhone to have a certain type of a certain modem. Or, maybe Apple signed an agreement that said we will purchase a certain number, and they realized they had to stick it in some product . . . at least until they run out.

We just don't yet know enough. But these kinds of things often eventually leak, or are disclosed as part of lawsuits.
 
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The Pro Max generally has more sales than the Pro.

I see the Pro and Duo as being the guinea pigs for the C2 on the not quite as popular models, before they go and put it in their more popular selling version.

As far as the "AI" buzz on the C2 goes, Qualcomm has been using "AI" on their modems for a few generations now.

Personally, having a 17 Pro, the 18 Pro series does not do much for me. The DUO has me curious. I am not sure if I want to spend that kind of money though on a 1st generation.
 
I'm actually glad the Pro has the C2. Apple's original C1 modem got decent reviews. And the added battery life it provides is worth it. The Qualcomm in my current iPhone has spotty reception at best.
 
Dulcimer said:
For once the regular Pro has an advantage over the Max Pro! An extra band and more efficient modem (if Apple’s to be believed).
Click to expand...
Aside from some potential efficiency gains of the C2, the additional band is useless to US consumers anyway. Band 106 is not supported on any carrier and is a private band for commercial use only.
 
In Poland the Pro Max doesn’t have the C2 Chip either. Mind you, all 3 models only support Sub-6 GHz as we don’t have mmWave infrastructure at all lol.

Edit: Now hold on, it says the Duo does in fact support mmWave here so basically we have:
• 18 Pro with C2 - only Sub-6 GHz,
• 18 Pro Max with Qualcomm - only Sub-6GHz,
• Duo with C2 - mmWave support (for whatever reason???).

In conclusion: I’m confusion.
 
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jasio424 said:
In Poland the Pro Max doesn’t have the C2 Chip either. Mind you, all 3 models only support Sub-6 Ghz as we don’t have mmWave infrastructure at all lol.
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Interesting.

Checking a few other countries, I see that in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Vietnam, Singapore, Denmark, Netherlands, etc., the Pro Max doesn't list the C2, while other countries like Canada, India, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Australia show the Pro and Pro Max both have the C2.

So it's not just the U.S. Confusing.
 
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sw1tcher said:
So U.S. versions of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is using a Qualcomm modem? Probably the Qualcomm x85?

In markets outside the U.S. , both iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max appear to have C2 modem.
Click to expand...
I believe in prior leaks it was still the x80 as found in the 17 Pros. Apple has not always upgraded the cellular modem. I believe the 15 Pros and 16 Pros used the same modem (x70). The 17 Pro they jumped up to the x80.
 
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