The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is set to undergo significant hardware changes, as detailed by analyst Jeff Pu. He reports that Apple is developing a new version of its in-house 5G modem, which is expected to debut with the iPhone 18 lineup.
The first 5G modem, dubbed the C1, was introduced with the iPhone 16e. However, this initial model does not support mmWave technology, limiting its capacity to deliver the ultra-fast 5G speeds that some networks, like Verizon’s, initially advertised.
While the iPhone 17 series is anticipated to release in September, there are indications that Apple has begun collaborating on a next-generation modem. Pu emphasizes that the new chip, potentially labeled as “C2,” will likely be exclusive to the Pro variants of the iPhone 18.
Earlier reports from Bloomberg also support this assertion, suggesting that higher-end models will be the primary recipients of the advanced modem. Testing of the current 5G modem in the iPhone 16e suggests that it outperforms Qualcomm’s chips, showcasing superior efficiency and longer battery life.
Although there was consideration to include the modem in the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, Apple has since decided against this move. At this point, it remains uncertain if the standard iPhone 18 will retain the C1 modem from its predecessor or if it will incorporate Apple’s latest innovation.
There’s also a chance that the entry-level model could still utilize Qualcomm’s technology. As the competition heats up, other manufacturers like Samsung continue to rely on Qualcomm’s modems for devices like the Galaxy S25 and the upcoming S26 series.
This trend of self-reliance in components is becoming more prevalent among smartphone creators, suggesting that it will only continue to intensify as the market evolves.