Apple’s first custom modem chip, the C1, debuted yesterday in the iPhone 16e. The in-house modem chips marks Apple’s another step forward in its efforts to reduce its reliance on external suppliers like Qualcomm, which makes the modem chips used in the rest of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineups.
However, one notable omission from the C1’s feature set is support for ultra-fast mmWave 5G technology. Since Apple’s upcoming ultra-thin “iPhone 17 Air” is expected to use the C1, that means the 17 Air will lack mmWave 5G technology.
While Apple touts the C1 modem as their most power-efficient cellular chip to date, the C1 currently only offers support for sub-6GHz 5G networks. This means that iPhone 16e and iPhone 17 Air users will not have access to the super-fast connection speeds that mmWave technology can provide in densely-populated urban areas, as well as stadiums and airports.
Both Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman and Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo say the iPhone 17 Air will use the same C1 modem used by the iPhone 16e, indicating that it too will lack mmWave support. The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to continue using Qualcomm 5G modems, so they will retain access to mmWave.
The distinction between mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G is notable. mmWave 5G frequencies promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, making it a popular solution for dense urban areas. As for sub-6GHz 5G, it is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, making it more ideals for suburban and rural areas.
Gurman says Apple is working on a second-generation 5G modem, which will include mmWave support in its feature set. He expects the second-generation chip to debut in the 2026 iPhone 18 lineup. Gurman expects a third-generation modem chip to debut in 2027.
Apple has long made it clear that it wants to break away from relying on Qualcomm for its connectivity chips. Apple acquired Intel’s smartphone modem business in July 2019, taking the first step toward developing its own connectivity chips. At the time of the purchase, Apple said it would “help expedite our development on future products and allow Apple to further differentiate moving forward.”
Apple’s current modem supply agreement with Qualcomm lasts through 2026, which should provide Apple plenty of time to perfect its modem technology.
