Here's a Look at Apple's Secret Modem Testing Lab Where C1 Was Developed

The new iPhone 16e includes Apple's first custom designed modem chip, the C1. To promote the new chip, Apple invited several YouTubers and journalists to Apple Park, including Andru Edwards. Edwards got a first-hand look at Apple's modem testing labs, and he was able to speak to Apple engineers about the C1.


According to Apple, the C1 is the most power efficient modem that's been included in an iPhone to date, and that's the edge that the C1 has over Qualcomm's modems. The ‌iPhone 16e‌ has the longest battery life of an ‌iPhone‌ with a 6.1-inch form factor, and it lasts for up to 26 hours when watching video.

At Apple's modem testing labs, Apple engineers spent years testing the C1, determining how it would behave under various conditions using a range of equipment. Apple's testing lab allows it to identify and fix issues before a modem chip ever leaves the design stage.

The C1 was tested in environmental chambers where it was exposed to different extreme temperatures to ensure that it can operate in the harshest conditions. Repeated physical tests also ensure that the chip is able to stand up to daily wear and tear. Network tests cover the heavy data traffic of a packed stadium to remote rural areas with minimal signal.

Apple tested the C1 with over 180 carriers across 55 countries to ensure that it delivers reliable connectivity. The C1 is designed to integrate with the A18 chip, with the A18 able to optimize C1 network load for faster speeds.

According to Apple, the C1 is built on a 4-nanometer processor for the baseband and a 7-nanometer process for the transceiver, and it is a robust platform that's built for the future. Right now, the C1 does not support the faster mmWave 5G speeds, but future versions are likely to add the functionality.

Rumors suggest that a next-generation C2 chip is already in development for future ‌iPhone‌ models.

Tag: C1

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Top Rated Comments

henry72 Avatar
17 weeks ago

('//www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4UiSuWEtMY&t=413s')

6:53 ('//www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4UiSuWEtMY&t=413s')
That Mighty Mouse :p

Why isn’t Apple using their own USB-C cable? Is it because of the slow transfer speed?



Attachment Image
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
17 weeks ago

Why isn’t Apple using their own USB-C cable?
Too expensive.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Maclver Avatar
17 weeks ago

What I heard from people working in industry is that Apple already has C1 with working mmWave 5G. Problem though, it’s buggy at best and is basically “beta”. So Apple is way ahead of schedule and could release C2 with working mmWave by next year. (Or even an updated C1 “Pro” in time for iPhone 17 Air if they can push it)
Source = Trust me Bro
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
17 weeks ago
(//www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4UiSuWEtMY&t=413s)

6:53 (//www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4UiSuWEtMY&t=413s)

Attachment Image
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
17 weeks ago

That Mighty Mouse :p

Why isn’t Apple using their own USB-C cable? Is it because of the slow transfer speed?


That's a pretty good endorsement for Anker. :)

However, I don't think Apple sells any USB 3 cables, or USB 4 cables for that matter. It's either USB-C charging cables or else expensive Thunderbolt cables. The iPhone 16e doesn't support USB 3, but I guess they would need to USB 3 to test higher end iPhone models.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sippincider Avatar
17 weeks ago
I need it to work reliably with poor signal, more than I need to watch 26 hours of video.

Hats off if Apple made it robust and efficient. But there better not be compromises for efficiency's sake.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)