Apple's C2 Modem Expected to Feature in Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Apple's next-generation C2 modem is expected to arrive in 2026, debuting in Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

apple c1
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that Apple is already testing the so-called C2 modem as well as its successor, the C3, which is expected to arrive in 2027, by which time Apple hopes it will "outdo Qualcomm's modem capabilities." MacRumors has previously reported that Apple is testing a C2 modem.

Apple's C1 modem debuted in the iPhone 16e, which the company unveiled last week. Apple says its first custom modem chip is the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever, contributing to the device having the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone ever, including the more expensive regular iPhone 16.

Gurman previously reported that Apple's second-generation 5G modem will debut in the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026 and in iPad Pro models by 2027. He said this modem will better compete with Qualcomm's modems in current iPhones by adding support for the ultra-fast 5G standard known as mmWave, a feature the C1 modem lacks.

Apple's rumored all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air is expected to be next in line to use the new C1 modem. The new slimmer device is expected to replace the Plus model in the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, which is expected to arrive in mid-September.

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Top Rated Comments

Kylo83 Avatar
3 hours ago at 04:35 am
Can’t a chip do 5g and WiFi and Bluetooth or do they need to be separate
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vtrautia Avatar
3 hours ago at 04:40 am
No way! C1 this year and C2 next year. Who would have known?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghostface147 Avatar
2 hours ago at 05:38 am

Apple should of waited until it’s better than the competition before putting their own one out
How do you determine you are better until you put it in customer hands for real world testing?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Populus Avatar
1 hour ago at 05:51 am
The C1 cellular chip is built using both a 7nm process and a 5nm process, depending on the part of the chip, right? Then I guess all of the C2 will be made using the 5nm process, and maybe the C3 jumps to the 3nm process…

I may be wrong but my guess is that the iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will be the last iPhone coming with a Qualcomm modem. The iPhone 17 Air, though, is probably going to use the C1 for better power efficiency.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
3 hours ago at 04:35 am
Apple should of waited until it’s better than the competition before putting their own one out
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FreakinEurekan Avatar
40 minutes ago at 06:36 am

Apple should of waited until it’s better than the competition before putting their own one out
Define "Better."

It already has better power efficiency. Introduction in a base-level phone like this makes sense to me at this stage.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)