Kuo: Apple Developing Faster 'Refreshed' C1 Modem With mmWave Support for Mass Production Next Year

[MacRumors]

Apple is developing a "refreshed" version of its C1 modem for mass production next year that will improve power consumption and transmission speed, as well as bring support for mmWave, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a post on X (Twitter), Kuo said that while supporting the mmWave baseband isn't particularly challenging, achieving stable performance with low power consumption remains a "key hurdle" for Apple.

The C1 modem that debuted in the iPhone 16e lacks support for ultra-fast mmWave 5G technology. This means users don't have access to the exceptionally fast speeds that mmWave technology can provide in specific locations such as stadiums, airports, and dense urban areas. However, Apple says the C1 is just the "start" and that it is going to keep improving the technology with each new generation. Kuo has previously said the iPhone 17 Air, expected later this year, will also be equipped with the C1 modem.

It's not immediately clear which device will be first to use the so-called "refreshed" C1 modem, but a rumored iPhone 17e could be one possibility. Apple could also use the chip in an iPad and/or the standard model in Apple's iPhone 18 lineup. The Information's Wayne Ma has also predicted that Apple in 2026 will debut a new custom modem with support for mmWave 5G. The modem with mmWave support will be used in iPhones and "at least one iPad," according to Ma.

Another possibility is that Kuo's information actually relates to what Apple will call a "C2" modem. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's next-generation C2 modem is expected to arrive in 2026, and will debut in Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models.

In his social media post, Kuo also divulged some more technical node details about Apple's C1 modem process technology:

• Baseband: 4/5nm (both technologies are similar)
• Low-frequency/Sub-6 TRx (Transceivers): 7nm
• Intermediate Frequency (IF) TRx: 7nm
• PMIC: 55nm

Kuo says that unlike processors, baseband chips do not necessarily benefit from using the latest advanced node (3nm, for example), as it does not significantly improve baseband transmission speed. As a result, "it's unlikely that Apple's baseband will shift to a 3nm process next year," said Kuo.

Apple claims the C1 modem is the most power-efficient modem it has used in an iPhone, contributing to the iPhone 16e having the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone ever.

Article Link: Kuo: Apple Developing Faster 'Refreshed' C1 Modem With mmWave Support for Mass Production Next Year

 

[MayaUser]

Go Apple go

 

[BelgianChoklit]

I keep hearing mmwave is useless because there's not good coverage and because the signal is difficult to catch or something? I thought I was missing out on this in Belgium but maybe not missing out on much

 

[SanderEvers]

I keep hearing mmwave is useless because you basically coverage is poor and that the signal is difficult to catch or something? I thought I was missing out on this in Belgium but maybe not missing out on much

mmwave has a very low wavelength compared to normal 5G, which makes it faster. However, this comes with the drawback that it doesn't travel as far (so you need to be closer to the attenna)

 

[mazz0]

Faster, more power efficient, and supporting an additional technology? Isn't that exactly the sort of improvement that warrants a new version number - why would this still be called the C1?

 

[sagarpachorkar]

Honestly, the performance aspect of phone radios is blown out of proportion. Yeah, peak download speeds range 700-800MB/s on mid band 5G UC is cool and I do enjoy ‘em but I’d prefer a modem that gives me consistent network through congestion allowing me to make that payment, quickly upload 1GB file on my server, finish my sync with photo library while being frugal on my battery and avoid overheating, that should be the huge delta in performance.

 

[gridlocked]

mmwave has a very low wavelength compared to normal 5G, which makes it faster. However, this comes with the drawback that it doesn't travel as far (so you need to be closer to the attenna)

Its a smaller wavelength at a much higher frequency and its the amount of it that makes it faster. Verizon has something like 3.5ghz of mmwave in total.

 

[smithrh]

mmwave has a very low wavelength compared to normal 5G, which makes it faster. However, this comes with the drawback that it doesn't travel as far (so you need to be closer to the attenna)

Its a smaller wavelength at a much higher frequency and its the amount of it that makes it faster. Verizon has something like 3.5ghz of mmwave in total.

You are conflating wavelength with bandwidth, although there are relationships.

There is much higher *bandwidth* available in the mm wave band. This alone gives you higher throughput.

In addition, the very short wavelengths involved mean that the signals don't propagate very far at all, which gives the cell providers more capacity (more users doing more things). At the same time this capacity comes at the very real cost of having nano cell sites just hundreds of feet apart to provide coverage.

As one might expect, rolling out thousands upon thousands of nano sites just to cover a small area is no small task, and many operators probably aren't going to do it any time soon - if ever.

 

[iBluetooth]

I keep hearing mmwave is useless because you basically coverage is poor and that the signal is difficult to catch or something? I thought I was missing out on this in Belgium but maybe not missing out on much

The mmwave only works in direct line of sight of the tower antenna, but when you have that, the speed is amazing. But users always find something to complain about, so this is a necessity to match QCOM modems.

 

[Jetman]

So the C2 then

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

So it could be years before Apple's modems "catch up" with Qualcomm's capabilities? And they switched why?

 

[kiranmk2]

I wonder whether C2 could debut this year in the M5 iPad Pro and possibly the M5 MBPs, assuming they get released in line with expectations (iPad Pro - every 18 months:Oct/Nov, MBP - every 12 months: Oct/Nov), although are rumours that the iPad Pro may end up being early 2026.

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

I just want to hear about how much money the C1 will save Apple.

 

[Kirkster]

So the C2 then

This is apple we are talking about. It will be the C1S.

 

[DailySlow]

You are conflating wavelength with bandwidth, although there are relationships.

There is much higher *bandwidth* available in the mm wave band. This alone gives you higher throughput.

In addition, the very short wavelengths involved mean that the signals don't propagate very far at all, which gives the cell providers more capacity (more users doing more things). At the same time this capacity comes at the very real cost of having nano cell sites just hundreds of feet apart to provide coverage.

As one might expect, rolling out thousands upon thousands of nano sites just to cover a small area is no small task, and many operators probably aren't going to do it any time soon - if ever.

The sector(s) that "need" this is services (iCloud, AI) in dense urban environments. Autonomous cars, delivery drones, curated ad delivery. Head out to the Poconos and there who cares? Just need reliable coverage with 4G.

 

[Cristim74]

I just want to hear about how much money the C1 will save Apple.

It's not about saving money, but not having to rely on a third party.
And also every important, it's about power efficiency, where Apple excels.
There are also rumors they plan to integrate it in the SoC.

 

[DailySlow]

I generally like the idea of Apple developing its own hardware - and modems are the most important for mobile. Without the modem tech there is no connectivity and it's good it's going this way with the only viable alternate mainly being Qualcomm's kit. Could Apple license this out to mobile manufacturers? Will it have a backdoor? Interesting development for sure.

 

[socialwill]

Oh, so Apple is working on the next version of a flagship item…and it might come out next year. You don’t say!

I need to get into this business and do rumors.

 

[M-Life]

Oh, so Apple is working on the next version of a flagship item…and it might come out next year. You don’t say!

I need to get into this business and do rumors.

I say this with all respect, maybe the site Macrumors is not for you.

 

[dunkin06]

Based on some of the testing videos I've looked at, the C1 is a big success in terms of performance. I don't believe there will be major teething issues with the modem either.

 

[macloverHK]

Faster, more power efficient, and supporting an additional technology? Isn't that exactly the sort of improvement that warrants a new version number - why would this still be called the C1?

Wait until we have C1 Pro and C1 Max

 

[Premium1]

So it could be years before Apple's modems "catch up" with Qualcomm's capabilities? And they switched why?

More $$ for apple and less paying out to Qualcomm. Nothing more than saving apples bottom line.

 

[Wingdinger]

I dunno, mmWave is not a deal breaker for me. I’ve gotten very high speeds on LTE and mid band 5G. The problem is reliability, it’s bad enough as is, I can’t imagine mmWave would improve anything for me. It’s not available in my area anyway.

 

[yeah]

This is the first article in months with a Gurman reference.

 

[o9p0]

The mmwave only works in direct line of sight of the tower antenna, but when you have that, the speed is amazing. But users always find something to complain about, so this is a necessity to match QCOM modems.

I think you mean, geeks and people passionate enough about hardware design and technology to have a Macrumors forum account (such that they post), will have something to complain about.

Probably less than 2% of users would be uploading data, streaming video while at a baseball game (dense / traffic congested environment) or while on the metro rail. The vast vast majority of users have no idea what this stuff is, don't care. And what even the non mmWave technology is capable of is sufficient for the majority of use cases on a mobile phone (with job queuing and background transfers). So as _other_ devices are switching to 5G mmWave (freeing up capacity on 4G LTE), the overall experience will remain the same for most users long enough for second and third generation modems to develop.

Qualcomm will still be ahead in terms of tech, but nobody will care. Everybody is out there living their lives. While we're in here on the severed floor complaining. ;-)