Apple's C1 modem signals the end of its Qualcomm dependence

Apple has finally introduced its first in-house modem alongside iPhone 16e, the C1, marking a major shift in its hardware strategy.

For years, Apple has relied on Qualcomm for iPhone modems, but that relationship has been winding down. The company took a big step toward independence in 2019 when it acquired Intel's smartphone modem business for $1 billion.

That move set the stage for Apple to develop its own 5G modem, cutting out third-party suppliers and ensuring tighter hardware integration. It makes its debut in the iPhone 16e, but it isn't clear if the in-house modem will be ready for Apple's iPhone 17 lineup in the fall.

The long road to an Apple modem

Apple's modem ambitions have been no secret. The company has invested heavily in research, but reports suggested that development hasn't always gone smoothly.

By 2023, Apple was still finalizing its modem supply chain, with companies like ASE Technology and Amkor Technology competing to handle packaging for its custom chips.

Despite that progress, industry insiders speculated that Apple's modem was running behind schedule. Some reports claimed that Apple's in-house design lagged about three years behind Qualcomm's top offerings, raising concerns about performance.

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While the C1 is a major step toward full independence, it still has limitations. The current version doesn't support millimeter wave 5G, a high-speed connectivity standard that Qualcomm modems have offered for years.

12 Comments

9secondkox2 9 Years · 3283 comments

About 1 month ago

I doubt apple will be pursuing 5g only with this modem. They’ll need for for fallback and likely borrow the tech, leading to some fees paid to due the minefield of 5g patents.

But 6g… that’s likely what apple is spending their respurces on, possibly being the first to get there and be a big part of setting the standard.

2 Likes · 0 Dislikes

davebarnes 20 Years · 382 comments

About 1 month ago

But 6g…"
So I will need to get another covid shot to acquire my 6th Bill Gates' microprocessor.

3 Likes · 0 Dislikes

gatorguy 14 Years · 24693 comments

About 1 month ago

9secondkox2 said:

I doubt apple will be pursuing 5g only with this modem. They’ll need for for fallback and likely borrow the tech, leading to some fees paid to due the minefield of 5g patents.
But 6g… that’s likely what apple is spending their respurces on, possibly being the first to get there and be a big part of setting the standard.

I understood that 6G was still 5 years off, minimally. Has the timeline changed?

EDIT: 3GPP is hoping to finalize the 6G standard by the end of 2028 so that a network can be prepared for 2030 deployment. The standards group also recognized a potential "power grab" by newcomer Apple and has taken steps to neutralize it.

https://www.lightreading.com/5g/3gpp-moving-to-prevent-power-grab-by-apple-others

1 Like · 0 Dislikes

avon b7 21 Years · 8181 comments

About 1 month ago

9secondkox2 said:

I doubt apple will be pursuing 5g only with this modem. They’ll need for for fallback and likely borrow the tech, leading to some fees paid to due the minefield of 5g patents.
But 6g… that’s likely what apple is spending their respurces on, possibly being the first to get there and be a big part of setting the standard.

I very much doubt Apple will be first to 6G.

That is on schedule for a 2030 launch but carriers will have to have paid off their 5 and 5.5G investments first.

If they drag their feet on that, 6G could roll out to industrial private networks first (just as with 5G). Apple does not operate in that business.

Worth noting too that (albeit sketchy) rumours are pointing to Huawei launching a 5.5G capable modem next month.

1 Like · 1 Dislike

danox 12 Years · 3605 comments

About 1 month ago

gatorguy said:

9secondkox2 said:

I doubt apple will be pursuing 5g only with this modem. They’ll need for for fallback and likely borrow the tech, leading to some fees paid to due the minefield of 5g patents.
But 6g… that’s likely what apple is spending their respurces on, possibly being the first to get there and be a big part of setting the standard.

I understood that 6G was still 5 years off, minimally. Has the timeline changed?

EDIT: 3GPP is hoping to finalize the 6G standard by the end of 2028 so that a network can be prepared for 2030 deployment. The standards group also recognized a potential "power grab" by newcomer Apple and has taken steps to neutralize it.

https://www.lightreading.com/5g/3gpp-moving-to-prevent-power-grab-by-apple-others

Yes it’s a power grab no different than Apple Silicon being released to replace Intel, long-term if Apple wants to build certain devices the way it needs to (a smaller Apple Vision? You know the one that looks like an actual pair of glasses?) they have to leave Qualcomm the patent troll in the dust, and the troll will be kicking and screaming all the way….