Report: Apple's C1 Is Just the Beginning of Modem Changes

[deconstruct60]

Yeah but right now there's a split: Qualcomm makes the most performant modem, but Apple's C1 is now the most power-efficient modem.

Apple didn't claim it was the most power efficient modem. They claimed it was the most power efficient modem in an iPhone. That is a large, but still a significant subset of all modems.

Qualcomm's on-die modems spend a lot less energy moving data back and for between the rest of the SoC than discrete modems do ( all that data being shipped off die). Apple's comparison is only in the range of perhaps Qualcomm's discrete modems. Even in that subset Apple is even smaller since they have so far skipped the last 2 generation of Qualcomm discrete modems also ( x75 and x80).

Apple's comparison is drifting into the zone where they trotted out the Rip van Winkle Mac Pro 2019 to compare again the MP 2023. ( or trot out MP 2019 versus MP 2013 ). Skip a couple generations of alternative x86 workstation CPUs and somewhat just kicking sand in the face of something that is mainly older.


Using a discrete modem is a self imposed constraint that Apple has placed themselves in. It is a reasonable one. But Apple is drifting into just their own world for comparison.

At present there is no one modem product that is simultaneously 'most performant' and 'most efficient' -- you have to choose or the other.

That apple is ducking comparisons to the x75 and x80, that assertion isn't particularly clear.

 

[xyz01]

Don't quote me theoretical speeds of cellular. That is what carriers do. That is not what real world use is like. Speeds and coverage and latency vary WILDLY. As such, the way people use cellular has not changed.

With unlimited data and high speeds, I use my devices as if I were at home on my commute - the speed is fast enough that I don't notice any issues. I've also done full workdays with my computer tethered to my phone, with no problems - for me, that is mostly a lot emails, documents, and teams meetings.

 

[9081094]

So if I’m understanding correctly from this poster on YouTube who took a tour at apples modem labs, apple isn’t going to compete with Qualcomm on speed but will try to differentiate itself by offering unique features. None of them are available on the C1 and no WiFi 6E or 7 and no 5G mmWave connectivity.
It’s CHEAPER to produce and they don’t have to PAY LICENSING FEES. And they want to learn and collect as much as data as they can from the new 16E users. So those are basically Guinee pigs 🐷…

🤔

 

[Chuckeee]

Yeah but right now there's a split: Qualcomm makes the most performant modem, but Apple's C1 is now the most power-efficient modem. At present there is no one modem product that is simultaneously 'most performant' and 'most efficient' -- you have to choose or the other.

Funny how history repeats itself. This is very similar to the argument that was made with the iPhone 11 when comparing the Intel modems to the then Qualcomm modem chips. That time around, the “slight degradation of modem performance” of the Intel chips ended up being a real big deal to the point where no one cared about the power savings. Hopefully history will not repeat itself with this new Apple C1 modem.

 

[I7guy]

Yeah but right now there's a split: Qualcomm makes the most performant modem, but Apple's C1 is now the most power-efficient modem. At present there is no one modem product that is simultaneously 'most performant' and 'most efficient' -- you have to choose or the other.

Since cellular bandwidth above what you can get with LTE isn't important for most people most of the time, then it seems like Apple is probably making a good choice for most people in going with their own modems.

A poll is needed to see if battery life or cellular speed is a priority. I would take battery life all day long. Unless your day consists of uploading and downloading terabytes of data on your phone I would pick more battery life.

It’s not as if one can even upload at top speed anymore, cellular carriers learned from the cable companies and upload is a fraction of download.

 

[I7guy]

So if I’m understanding correctly from this poster on YouTube who took a tour at apples modem labs, apple isn’t going to compete with Qualcomm on speed but will try to differentiate itself by offering unique features. None of them are available on the C1 and no WiFi 6E or 7 and no 5G mmWave connectivity.
It’s CHEAPER to produce and they don’t have to PAY LICENSING FEES. And they want to learn and collect as much as data as they can from the new 16E users. So those are basically Guinee pigs 🐷…

🤔

Let me understand this. Apple produced a communications chip that caters to the average person. That is the target demographic of the iPhone 16E. How unapple is that?

 

[Chuckeee]

A poll is needed to see if battery life or cellular speed is a priority. I would take battery life all day long. Unless your day consists of uploading and downloading terabytes of data on your phone I would pick more battery life.

I think you should add sensitivity & connection reliability to that poll. For me the ability to establish and maintain a connection is much more important than it being a maximum high speed or adding 10% battery life.

 

[goobot]

Does Apple Watch even have LTEA?

 

[CWallace]

Does Apple Watch even have LTEA?

It does support at least some LTE-A bands, including 12, 26 and 41 in the US (used by Sprint and T-Mobile).

Apple Watch - Carriers

Apple Watch with cellular. Go with just your watch — make calls, get messages, stream music. See if Apple Watch works with networks in your country.

www.apple.com

 

[svish]

Good to hear about the plans. Expecting Apple to make a complete shift to in house chips. Waiting to see a cellular Mac, this should very much be possible now because of C1. Maybe the 2026 MacBook Pro will have 5G support.

 

[IIGS User]

I live in a major metro area on the east coast and for the most part 5G (VZW) is kind a joke. When the mmw does kick in it’s fast but the coverage is spotty. The “regular” 5G is slower than LTE just about everywhere (I speed test a lot because it’s an interest of mine).

There are a lot of times I throw my 16PM into LTE mode and then I forget. It usually works better in LTE mode.

 

[CWallace]

Good to hear about the plans. Expecting Apple to make a complete shift to in house chips. Waiting to see a cellular Mac, this should very much be possible now because of C1. Maybe the 2026 MacBook Pro will have 5G support.

Considering there has been no technical reason for Macs to not have cellular, yet Apple has never offered the option, I really believe Apple's philosophy is that Mac's do not need on-board cellular. They either feel they are always within range of a wired or wireless network or they can tether off an iPhone.

I do not see Apple offering a C1 chip in a Mac for this reason. We will have to wait until Apple combines cellular with WiFi, Bluetooth and UWB onto a chip that we will get it because it will be present by default.

 

[Jetscreamer]

Let me know when they get to C5. Hopefully all the bugs have been worked out by then.