iPhone 18 Pro Models Again Rumored to Feature Apple's C2 Modem

Apple debuted its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e last month, as part of a multi-year plan to transition away from Qualcomm modems. And per the latest rumor, the C1 modem will continue to roll out later this year.

apple c1
In a research note with investment firm GF Securities today, analyst Jeff Pu said the ultra-thin "iPhone 17 Air" will be equipped with the C1 modem. Fellow analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to reveal that this was Apple's plan last year.

Pu believes Apple's second-generation C2 modem will debut in the iPhone 18 Pro models next year, which is also something that has already been rumored previously. Look for the C2 modem to be faster overall, and for it to gain mmWave support in the United States. Further power efficiency improvements are likely too.

iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to have Qualcomm modems still.

Apple's modem supply agreement with Qualcomm runs through March 2027, so the company still has time to transition to its own custom-designed modems. Apple develops chips several years before they ship, so it should come as no surprise that the company is reportedly already working on its next-generation C2 and C3 modems.

Apple said the C1 modem is already the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever, and it held up fine in both real-world and simulated 5G speed test results.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 17 Models Rumored to Feature Redesigned Dynamic Island

Monday July 7, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
iPhone 17 models will feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interface, according to a post today from Digital Chat Station, an account with more than three million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The account has accurately leaked some information regarding future Apple products in the past. The account did not share any specific details about the alleged changes that are ...
Prime Day 25 Feature Warm Triad

The Best Prime Day Deals on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and More

Monday July 7, 2025 10:55 am PDT by
Amazon is back with its annual summertime Prime Day event, lasting for four days from July 8-11, the longest Prime Day yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront. With the event now underway, we're tracking numerous all-time low prices on Apple gear right now. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a...

Top Rated Comments

257Loner Avatar
16 weeks ago
And after the C2 modem debuts in the latest iPhones, the C3 modem will follow after that. Remember, you heard it first from me!
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dustin.haley Avatar
16 weeks ago

Let’s hope it’s better than the C1:



My 16e was delivered this morning via UPS - T-Mobile gave me $500 in trade-in value for my 2 & 1/2 year old Google Pixel 7 (that I only paid $350 for) so I was able to get the 16e in white for only 100 bucks ($4 x 24 months @ 0%)

I’m going to use it as my primary phone so that I can put this new C1 chip to the test and I’m going to give my 2nd iPhone (1TB 15 Pro Max) to my Dad so that he can take spatial videos

He wants to start taking spatial videos because he said that he wants to buy a 2nd generation Vision Pro (once it comes out) we got to try the new Vision Pro in Miami and it was pretty cool so my dad said he wants to get one if Apple lowers the price to $1,999 (or less)
The guy spends 5 minutes saying the 16e has a bigger battery than the 16. There have been actual tests showing the C1 is more efficient… this video also doesn’t discuss the data/speed performance at all.

Overall, useless video…
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
16 weeks ago
C2 will go into some iPhone 18 models, not sure it’ll be the Pros. For going into the Pros, it’ll have to be equal or better than the next one from QCOM and I’m not sure about that, yet.
My guess, QCOM for 18Pros and C2 for the others
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NetMage Avatar
16 weeks ago

C2 will go into some iPhone 18 models, not sure it’ll be the Pros. For going into the Pros, it’ll have to be equal or better than the next one from QCOM and I’m not sure about that, yet.
My guess, QCOM for 18Pros and C2 for the others
Better isn't just about performance. If the C2 can match the current Qualcomm modem with less power usage, why wouldn't Apple use it in the 18 Pros?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DocMultimedia Avatar
16 weeks ago
Bring on the 2029 rumors. 2028 is so yesterday.

But I'll buy one.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
F23 Avatar
16 weeks ago
has anyone done extensive testing on the C1 compared to the current iPhone modems to see performance differences?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)