With the launch of iPhone 16e, we also saw the launch of something far more important — Apple’s custom C1 modem. Here’s what means and why you should care about it.
The C1 modem debuted in iPhone 16e
The C1 modem debuted in iPhone 16e
To cover the basics, the modem a chip in your phone that connects you to your cell provider. The C1 modem chip is the fruit of Apple Silicon research. It is Apple’s first modem that it has created entirely in-house, versus buying off-the-shelf components from Qualcomm.
There’s discussion online that Apple’s efforts to create their own modem are just a way to stop paying Qualcomm. That may be partially true, but it’s got more to do with supply chain control and Apple’s future plans.