New iPads This Week Aren't Equipped With Apple's C1 Modem for 5G

[MacRumors]

Apple debuted its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e last month, as part of a multi-year plan to transition away from Qualcomm modems. However, the C1 modem does not extend to the new iPads unveiled earlier this week.

Daring Fireball's John Gruber today said he spoke with an Apple representative who confirmed that the new iPad Air and entry-level iPad models are not equipped with the C1 modem. In addition, FCC documents viewed by MacRumors indicate that cellular configurations of both new iPads are equipped with a Qualcomm modem.

There is still at least one other device that is expected to have an Apple-designed modem this year. According to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the rumored "iPhone 17 Air" model coming in September will also be equipped with the C1 modem.

Apple's modem supply agreement with Qualcomm runs through March 2027, so the company still has time to transition to its own custom-designed modems. Apple develops chips several years before they ship, so it should come as no surprise that the company is reportedly already working on its next-generation C2 and C3 modems.

Apple said the C1 modem is already the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever, and it held up fine in both real-world and simulated 5G speed test results.

Article Link: New iPads This Week Aren't Equipped With Apple's C1 Modem for 5G

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Shame on Apple for using inferior parts!

 

[jz0309]

Well, if it were in the new iPads, I’m sure Apple would have mentioned it in the release announcement.
The board might have required a more significant redesign to accommodate the C1.

 

[bigglow]

Reasons why C1 5G modem chip isn't in other newly released Apple products

- super secret project isolated to the iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16e is a test bed for new tech... such as this Apple-made 5G modem chip
- C1 chip fab cannot fulfill demand beyond iPhone 16e
- 5G modem chip contract obligations to Qualcomm

 

[StoneJack]

Reasons why C1 5G modem chip isn't in other newly released Apple products

- super secret project isolated to the iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16e is a test bed for new tech... such as this Apple-made 5G modem chip
- C1 chip fab cannot fulfill demand beyond iPhone 16e
- 5G modem chip contract obligations to Qualcomm

yes, I agree with those reasons. C1 and its iterations will probably pop up in later generations

 

[M1 Max]

It would be miraculous and fitting if they put it in the new MacBook Air. Getting a 5G chip in the MacBooks has been asked for from the moment Jobs pulled one out of his envelope.

 

[svish]

Was not expecting iPads to get Apple modem this year. Was a very minor update. Expecting to see it sometime in 2026 for the iPads. Maybe even the iPad Pro might be the first one to get it in the iPad lineup.

 

[Dark_Omen]

It would be miraculous and fitting if they put it in the new MacBook Air. Getting a 5G chip in the MacBooks has been asked for from the moment Jobs pulled one out of his envelope.

Which is exactly why Tim won’t do it. As you can tell, he keeps milking the same cow he has been. The udders well dry up at some point.

 

[bigglow]

yes, I agree with those reasons. C1 and its iterations will probably pop up in later generations

The replacement of the C1 5G modem chip will likely be built into the SoC that will be in a future iPhone 17 or Mac with M5 like the T2 security chip.

Thus reducing cost, power consumption, space, etc.

This is similar to the 2007 iPhone 2G... although presented as such it was essentially a developer's phone that so happens to be offered to the general public for a paid beta.

The smartphone meant for the mass market came out the following year, the iPhone 3G.

 

[OafTobark]

Reasons why C1 5G modem chip isn't in other newly released Apple products

- super secret project isolated to the iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16e is a test bed for new tech... such as this Apple-made 5G modem chip
- C1 chip fab cannot fulfill demand beyond iPhone 16e
- 5G modem chip contract obligations to Qualcomm

iPhone 16 e(xploration)

 

[Jumpthesnark]

It would be miraculous and fitting if they put it in the new MacBook Air. Getting a 5G chip in the MacBooks has been asked for from the moment Jobs pulled one out of his envelope.

It would be really miraculous if people had been asking for a 5G chip in a MBA since its introduction. Especially because Jobs introduced the MBA in 2008, and the first 5G network wasn't until 10 years later! 🤣

 

[F23]

it's cool that Apple is making it's own modem, but until it's equivalent to the performance of the Qualcomm one (ex: mm wave) I'm not interested in buying a product with it inside.

 

[haunebu]

So now an iPad has better connectivity than an iPhone. What a weird timeline. What product are they going to cripple with the C1 next?

 

[bigglow]

it's cool that Apple is making it's own modem, but until it's equivalent to the performance of the Qualcomm one (ex: mm wave) I'm not interested in buying a product with it inside.

This is why its in an iPhone 16e

 

[FlyingDutch]

Hardly a surprise: the “new” iPads are just a SoC swap.

So now an iPad has better connectivity than an iPhone. What a weird timeline. What product are they going to cripple with the C1 next?

Based on what ? According to the tests, C1 isn’t crippling anything.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Reasons why C1 5G modem chip isn't in other newly released Apple products

- super secret project isolated to the iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16e is a test bed for new tech... such as this Apple-made 5G modem chip
- C1 chip fab cannot fulfill demand beyond iPhone 16e
- 5G modem chip contract obligations to Qualcomm

I think the real reason is even more simple than that: C1 request a different board design, and the new iPads are using an old design with a new (actually not new) SoC.

 

[F23]

This is why its in an iPhone 16e

it’s likely it’ll be in the 17 Air this year

 

[bigglow]

it’s likely it’ll be in the 17 Air this year

Not a Pro device and the C1 may turn into the C2.

 

[racerhomie]

It would be miraculous and fitting if they put it in the new MacBook Air. Getting a 5G chip in the MacBooks has been asked for from the moment Jobs pulled one out of his envelope.

With Continuity and Instant Hotspot why would I ever need to buy a Cellular iPad or Mac?

 

[F23]

Not a Pro device and the C1 may turn into the C2.

the standard non pro iPhone has mm wave. doubt Apple will debut C2 only 7 months after C1.

 

[bigglow]

the standard non pro iPhone has mm wave. doubt Apple will debut C2 only 7 months after C1.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Apple 5G modem will become part of the A19 & M5 SoC.

 

[haunebu]

Based on what ? According to the tests, C1 isn’t crippling anything.

Based on an endless supply of user reports, like this:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1895509081458405386

That's a 16e to 16 Pro Max comparison. Same carrier network, same location. The examples are everywhere.

 

[ZipZilla]

it's cool that Apple is making it's own modem, but until it's equivalent to the performance of the Qualcomm one (ex: mm wave) I'm not interested in buying a product with it inside.

mmWave coverage is only available on certain streets in certain cities, it has nearly no practical application in a phone and is a gimmick. it also is on a very high frequency and as a result, has poor in-building coverage. As long as the C1 gets mid-band and it does, you are good

 

[StoneJack]

Based on an endless supply of user reports, like this:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1895509081458405386

That's a 16e to 16 Pro Max comparison. Same carrier network, same location. The examples are everywhere.

it is fine. For me the difference is not that significant, especially if you take into account that these speeds fluctuate all the time

 

[bigglow]

Based on an endless supply of user reports, like this:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1895509081458405386

That's a 16e to 16 Pro Max comparison. Same carrier network, same location. The examples are everywhere.

It's a 1st revision... everything succeeding it will be better.

What's key here is that 5G & future 6G modems will find itself to all Apple devices like Macs without significant cost increase.

Although I'm too cheap to get a SIM per device. Rather it be sharing 1 SIM per person or location