iPhone 18 Pro Series to Feature Second-Generation Apple Modem (C2) – What to Expect
Apple’s transition to in-house cellular modems is gaining momentum. After introducing the C1 modem with the iPhone 16e, reports suggest that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series will be the first to debut the second-generation Apple C2 modem. Apple’s First In-House 5G Modem Explained explores how Apple is moving away from Qualcomm and what this means for future iPhones. For a full overview of upcoming models, check out the Latest iPhone 2025 hub.
Apple’s In-House Modem: The Evolution Continues
The C1 modem, Apple’s first in-house cellular solution, is a significant milestone but remains a transitional step. It combines 4-7nm baseband components with a 55nm Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) but lacks mmWave support. Due to these limitations, Apple is expected to continue using Qualcomm modems for the iPhone 17 Pro series, reserving the upgraded C2 modem for the iPhone 18 Pro models.
iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max to Get Exclusive C2 Modem
Industry analyst Jeff Pu reports that Apple plans to equip the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max exclusively with the C2 modem, marking a major shift in Apple’s wireless connectivity strategy. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 might either retain the C1 modem or continue using Qualcomm chips.
Apple’s Future Modem Plans: A Fully Integrated Solution?
Although Apple aims to integrate its in-house modem into future A-series chipsets, reports suggest this won’t happen in the near term. For now, the C1 and C2 remain external modems, but Apple’s long-term goal remains full modem integration for better power efficiency and performance.
