Apple C1 Is The Company’s First In-House Cellular Modem

If you’re planning on picking up the newly announced iPhone 16e, you’re in for a treat — it’ll be the first iPhone to use a new cellular modem from Apple called the C1.

Apple has been working on its own cellular modem for years, ever since buying up Intel’s modem business.

So far, it’s struggled to launch such a thing but the new arrival of the iPhone 16e sees the C1 modem launch — and it promises improved power efficiency which in turn means for better battery life.

Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity. Apple silicon — including C1 — the all-new internal design, and the advanced power management of iOS 18 all contribute to extraordinary battery life.

All other models in the iPhone 16 lineup, as well those that came before it, are powered by Qualcomm modems. But Apple has been keen to ditch Qualcomm’s modems in favor of those designed by itself and this now appears to be happening, albeit slowly.

It remains to be seen whether Apple will also now bring the same modem, or an upgraded version, to the iPhone 17 lineup later this year.

If all of the rumors are true we can expect that Apple will announce the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models this coming September.