CUPERTINO, March 19 — Apple is expected to debut its next-generation in-house 5G modem, the “C2” chip, in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models in 2026, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities. This aligns with recent reports suggesting Apple will transition its premium iPhones to its own modem technology next year.
The C1 chip, introduced in the iPhone 16e, has already demonstrated greater efficiency and lower power consumption compared to Qualcomm’s modems, though it currently lacks support for mmWave 5G. While Apple plans to use the C1 modem in the upcoming ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, it remains uncertain whether the base iPhone 18 models will adopt the C1 chip or continue relying on Qualcomm’s 5G modem for another year.
Apple’s move toward proprietary modem technology marks a significant shift in reducing dependency on third-party suppliers, but the company is likely ensuring its in-house solution meets high-speed connectivity demands before a full-scale transition across all iPhone models.
