The 16E iPhone premieres the modem C1. It is the principle of Apple’s goodbye to Qualcomm

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For years, Apple has depended on Qualcomm for 5g modems of its iPhones. A tense relationship that Apple has always wanted to break, especially since in 2019 bought the intel mode for 1,000 million dollars.

Why is it important. With the launch of the C1 as part of the iPhone 16EApple takes a key step in its hardware vertical control strategy. This your own modem will allow you to gradually dispense with Qualcomm. And that translates into two things:

  1. Savings in licenses.
  2. Better integration with your chips.

Apple's metamorphosis: from the minimalist catalog to calculated maximalism

In detail. The iPhone 16E is the first device to incorporate the C1, a modem that Apple is “the most energy efficient ever used on an iPhone.” The choice of this input model for the C1 debut does not seem accidental: if there were performance problems, the impact would be less than in the pro models. In addition …

  • Compatible with low frequency 5G bands.
  • No support for 5G mmwave (Milimetric band).
  • Optimized for energy efficiency and battery life.
  • Integrated with the processor A18 Bionic.

Between the lines. Apple has been cautious with the launch. The C1 does not debut throughout the iPhone 16 range, but only in the most economical model. The iPhone 16 and 16 PRO maintain the Qualcomm modems with which they arrived.

It is an interesting movement: Intel failed in his attempt to compete with Qualcomm in Modems for smartphones. And now Apple, with your experience in your own chips (series A, series M, etc), wants to break the almost monopoly of Qualcomm in high -end models.

And now what. 2026 will be the key year. It is when the agreement between Apple and Qualcomm will expireand by then the C1 and the development of their successor must be completely mature if Apple wants to dispense completely of Terceors modems.

At the moment we have a few months ahead to see the performance of the modem C1 and what is translated for the end user that change. Of course, the movement can be more than justified only with the implications for Apple itself.

In Xataka | I have tried the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro. I have very clear which one would buy me

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