When Apple launched its iPhone 16e last month, it included a brand new component: the C1 modem. But more recent devices like the M3 iPad Air and A16 iPad haven’t included it. Here’s where the C1 will appear next, and which products are not expected to get it.
Why the C1 modem was worth the wait
For many years, Apple has been working to develop its own cellular modem tech. Absent that tech being ready, the company has had to rely on Qualcomm to supply 5G modems for its devices.
While Qualcomm’s modems are considered top-tier, the company and Apple haven’t always gotten along very well. In part, it seems, because of how much Qualcomm charges for its components.
Cost savings were one reason for Apple to develop its own 5G modem.
Another key one is that Apple often prefers to control the full technology stack in its products. This enables increased hardware-software integrations that lead to better overall user experiences.
That seems true with Apple’s new C1 modem, which provides two advantages already:
- Better battery life thanks to efficiency improvements
- More responsive data in congested conditions
But despite the benefits of the C1, Apple isn’t giving the new modem to all of its products just yet.
The new M3 iPad Air and A16 iPad don’t include it. Nor the M4 MacBook Air, sadly, since cellular Macs aren’t a thing yet.
Several products this fall are expected to bypass the C1 too, sticking with Qualcomm’s 5G modem. But one flagship product will be the next to include C1.
Where Apple’s C1 will and won’t show up next
Per various reports, Apple’s next product featuring the C1 modem will be its ultra-thin flagship iPhone 17 Air.
This new iPhone will launch in the fall as a replacement for the Plus model in Apple’s lineup.
It will emphasize form over function, with a radically thin design, single rear camera, and yes, the C1 modem.
One likely reason Apple’s bringing C1 to the iPhone 17 Air is for its efficiency improvements. Those will undoubtedly be important for a model that has less physical space for battery.
What about the rest of Apple’s fall lineup?
Reporting indicates the iPhone 17 Air is the only new model that will get the C1.
Top comment by John Atkinson
I imagine the C1 will come to the Apple Watch lineup next. The current Apple Watch lineup is still limited to LTE and Wifi 4 so I imagine the connectivity boost would be showcased ("5G just got realer") and its lower power consumption would go hand in hand with the Apple Watch's smaller battery.
The question then is if they keep the C1 separate or if they do a S11+ chip that integrates the C1 onto the processor directly for cellular models to get even better performance and battery life.
The Apple Watch also feels like a less consequential device to do wider field testing with as the Apple Watch is more often paired with an iPhone on the user so disconnections are less consequential but its always on the user so getting analytics in more unknown irl environments could solve issues they may have not accounted for.
The standard iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max (or should I say 17 Ultra?) will all use Qualcomm’s modem.
We don’t know for sure why Apple is slowly integrating C1 into its devices. It could be due to existing purchase commitments with Qualcomm, hedging against any possible connectivity issues that C1 presents, or just risk management overall.
In any case, if you want to get Apple’s cutting edge C1, you’ll need to buy the iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 16e. Or wait until next year, when the full iPhone 18 lineup is expected to adopt a new C2 modem.
Would you prefer your next iPhone to have a C1 or Qualcomm modem? Let us know in the comments.
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