Apple has confirmed plans to upgrade its 5G modem for the high-end iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, with analyst Jeff Pu predicting the release of the “C2” chip in 2026. The new C1 chip, introduced with the iPhone 16e this year, uses 4 nanometer baseband technology and 7 nanometer transceiver technology, making it more efficient and power-efficient than Qualcomm modems.
While Apple plans to upgrade its 5G modem for the Pro models, it’s unclear whether the base model iPhone 18 will also receive the C1 chip or stick with a Qualcomm 5G modem. Tests have shown that the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e reaches similar speeds to Qualcomm’s modems but lacks support for higher 5G mmWave speeds.
It’s likely that Apple will roll out its new modem technology to other products, such as cellular versions of the iPad and Apple Watch, before introducing it to more iPhone models. This upgrade is crucial for replacing Qualcomm’s modems, which are a key component of a smartphone.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/17/apple-expected-to-bring-new-version-of-its-5g-modem-to-iphone-18-pro-models