A recent report commissioned by Qualcomm and conducted by Cellular Insights has shed light on the performance disparity between Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 5G modems and Apple’s newly released C1 modem. The tests aimed to determine which modem delivered superior speed, focusing on devices such as the iPhone 16e, which features Apple’s C1, and the iPhone 16 Pro models that utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75.
Earlier tests conducted by a YouTube content creator indicated that Apple’s C1 modem was up to 40% faster than Qualcomm’s offering. However, these results drew criticism for their potential bias, as the testing location in Toronto, Canada, featured abundant 5G coverage.
Critics speculated that results could differ significantly in areas with scarcer 5G infrastructure. In response, Qualcomm funded additional testing by Cellular Insights, which revealed that in scenarios typical of high-demand environments, Apple’s C1 modem underperformed compared to Android devices equipped with Qualcomm’s modems.
Data from New York City indicated that two similarly priced smartphones using Qualcomm’s technology could download data 35% faster and upload data as much as 91% faster than Apple’s C1 modem. The report also noted concerns about the C1’s performance in high-traffic situations and physical distance from cell towers, with reports of excessive heating in the iPhone 16e during testing.
One notable limitation of the C1 modem is its lack of support for high-band millimeter-wave signals, crucial for optimal 5G speeds. Apple aims to address this shortcoming with the anticipated C2 modem set to launch with the iPhone 18 series in 2026.
As Apple plans to transition to its own modems across all iPhone models, Qualcomm could face substantial revenue loss, particularly given that around 20% of its earnings are derived from Apple-related sales.