William Gallagher
A new report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that it will be 2026 before an updated version of the Apple C1 modem with mmWave will enter mass production.
For all its power efficiency, the C1 5G modem does lack mmWave support. It's far from a surprise, though, that Apple is working on future versions of the modem, but now Ming-Chi Kuo claims that an mmWave C1 will not be ready for the iPhone 17 range.
Apple's C1 modem process technology:
— (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 6, 2025
- Baseband: 4/5nm (both technologies are similar)
- Low-frequency/Sub-6 TRx (Transceivers): 7nm
- Intermediate Frequency (IF) TRx: 7nm
- PMIC: 55nm
The C1 refreshed version is under development for mass production next year, aiming to improve
In the full text of the tweet, Kuo says that the "refreshed C1" chip is likely to be built using a 28nm process. This is instead of the 3nm one that was expected to be used for the iPhone, and may be in future Apple Intelligence servers.
"Unlike processors/GPUs, baseband chips don't aggressively adopt the latest advanced node because the return on investment isn't high," writes Kuo. "As a result, it's unlikely that Apple's baseband will shift to a 3nm process next year."
Previously, Ming-Chi Kuo has either sourced information from the supply chain, or been clear that he is speculating based only his previous knowledge of Apple's plans. More recently, and including this report, he has presented claims without backing or clarification.
Nonetheless, his claims are at least likely, but that is because it is inevitable that Apple will eventually release further iterations of its C-series modems. Even the claim that an Apple-made 5G mmWave modem won't be ready for the iPhone 17 range is not new.
Kuo himself has previously said that Apple will continue to use Qualcomm modems across the iPhone 17 lineup, with the exception of the expected slimmer iPhone.
The analyst implies that Apple is working on an updated C1 modem rather than a C2. Other sources have claimed that a C2 is already in development, but again that's a prediction on a par with night following day.
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Malcolm Owen
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Wesley Hilliard
15 Comments
Isn’t this just Gurman’s rumored cell modem roadmap? From last year?
2025: C1 modem in “iPhone SE”, iPhone 17 Air, maybe iPad 11. Turns out it is iPhone 16e, not SE, but that’s a good rumor hit from months out.
2026: feature competitive mmWave modem for Pro models
2027: best in class modem
So, Kuo saying no mmWave modem in 2025 is a nothingburger.
MWC 2025 concluded today and it was all 5G Advanced. Qualcomm released the next generation X85 modem with a focus on 5G Advanced. T-Mobile is already running tests in San Diego. Apple will have to go 5G Advanced in the Pro models and 5G Advanced must be on the roadmap. mmWave will be part of it but 5G Advanced should is the important part.
Apple’s 5G effort won’t get a ton better due to the patents already locked up for doing thing in a more straightforward way. Apple’s modem is a workaround for now.