Apple’s latest iPhone 16e features a unique cellular modem chip designed by the company itself, replacing Qualcomm technology. This new chip, known as C1, is not only power-efficient but also heralds significant changes in future iPhones and other Apple devices.
According to Bloomberg, the C1 technology may be integrated into Apple’s System-on-Chip (SoC) main processors, including the A-series and M-Series chips. The A-series powers current iPhone models, while the M-Series is primarily used in Macs but also found in iPad Pro and iPad Air models.
The C1 chip lacks some advanced technologies like Millimeter Wave (mmWave) cellular, which will be supported in future versions of the chip. However, its presence contributes to the remarkable battery life of the iPhone 16e, allowing it to achieve up to 26 hours of video playback.
As Apple works on future C2 and C3 chips, the technology is expected to become an integral part of future A- and M-Series SoCs. This could bring cellular capabilities to machines that don’t currently have them, such as future Macs.
Portable Mac users have long desired cellular connectivity in their devices, which would allow them to connect to the Internet without relying on a hotspot from an iPhone’s connection. Although there are potential obstacles, including regulatory challenges and the need for further development, Apple’s C1 chip heralds significant potential for future models and devices yet to come.
Source: https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/02/23/apples-c1-modem-tech-will-evolve-could-come-to-other-devices