After the release of the iPhone 16e with Apple’s first C1 5G modem and subsequently the C1X modem with the iPhone Air, Apple is expected to power all upcoming iPhone 18 devices (including new iterations of the Air and Fold phones) with its upcoming C2 chip. This time, China’s Commercial Times says Apple is readying a 4nm C2 modem for all its new smartphones, while doubling down on TSMC’s first batch of 2nm processors for the A20 and A20 Pro chips. While the publication doesn’t go too deep on the general specs of Apple’s upcoming 5G modem, previous reports corroborate that the company plans to finally support 5G mmWave technology with its new generation of cellular chips.
Besides that, when Apple introduced the iPhone Air with the C1X chip, the company’s VP of Software Technologies and Ecosystems, Arun Mathias, said that Apple wants to keep expanding on its cellular modem portfolio. “We were really focused on what we needed for iPhone Air,” Mathias said in response to questions about the modem missing in the other models. “We have great products with iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro as well. Over time, we will see Apple cellular solutions in more products.”
The C2 chip is going to be a game changer for Apple
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s new C2 chip will feature download speeds of 6 gigabits per second, six-carrier aggregation when using Sub-6 5G, and eight-carrier aggregation when using mmWave. With Apple reportedly switching all its new iPhone models to a proprietary 5G chip, the company is not only reducing its reliance on Qualcomm, but it might also pave the way for us to see the company expanding its own chips to other products, such as new iPads, and eventually a cellular Mac.
Rumors so far don’t say anything about a second generation of Apple’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, currently known as the N1. Since it already features Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support, Apple may stick to this chip for another year or so. Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Fold, and iPhone Air later next year, followed by the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e at the beginning of 2027.
