Apple’s First In-House Modem Delivers Stunning Performance

Initial performance tests of Apple's custom-designed modem have yielded surprisingly impressive results, surpassing initial expectations.

Apple Stuns with New Proprietary Modem

In a significant tech breakthrough, Apple has unveiled its first-ever proprietary cellular modem, the C1, embedded in the new iPhone 16e. The device underwent performance testing by Ookla, creators of Speedtest, and the results were impressive. The C1 matched or even surpassed the Qualcomm chips found in the more expensive iPhone 16 models.

Remarkable Performance Despite No 5G mmWave Support

Lacking 5G mmWave support, the C1 modem still excels. According to Ookla, the iPhone 16e shows average download speeds of 560Mbps for the top 90% of users on AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile networks. The standard iPhone 16, equipped with a Qualcomm chip, clocks a higher average speed of 756Mbps, but the difference isn’t stark.

Reversed Results at Performance Extremes

Performance metrics shift when moving from the top 90% to the bottom 10%. Here, the iPhone 16e outperforms the standard model with an average data speed of nearly 218Mbps compared to the Qualcomm-based model’s 210Mbps. Interestingly, the latest iPhone model is faster on AT&T and Verizon networks but slower on T-Mobile.

A Modem with Promising Performance

In terms of download speeds, the 16e has outperformed the traditional iPhone 16 in nearly all tests. Apple has touted the C1 as the “most energy-efficient modem ever seen on an iPhone,” a claim that appears to hold true. The development of this in-house modem seems to be a wise investment for Apple, which has already seen success with its ultra-fast M-series chips. The company has big plans for future modem versions, including an all-in-one processor that integrates a modem, promising significant energy and cost savings.