Editor’s Note (February 19, 2025): Apple has officially announced the iPhone 16e as the “affordable” member of the iPhone 16 family, rather than an “iPhone SE 4.”
[Image from Apple]
This development represents the next phase in Apple’s broader silicon strategy. The company, one of the largest R&D investor, has for years been replacing external components with in-house tech. Now, with the iPhone 16e, Apple adds a homegrown modem to the A-series and M-series processors it already designs. First-generation hardware can come with caveats—such as limits on mmWave—but Apple has indicated it will maintain some Qualcomm usage through 2027, possibly to support customers in mmWave-dense markets.
Sub-6 only vs. full mmWave support: Prior to launch, rumors speculated that while the flagship iPhone 16 uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem (supporting both sub-6 GHz and mmWave in U.S. models), Apple’s in-house C1 modem might be limited to sub-6 GHz only. It seems that speculation is true. iPhone 16e’s C1 modem does not support mmWave, focusing instead on sub-6 GHz 5G and 4G LTE with 4×4 multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) for power efficiency. On standard sub-6 GHz networks, however, the performance gap may be minimal, with the C1 still delivering reliable, efficient connectivity tailored to the iPhone 16e’s $599 price point.
Carrier aggregation and peak throughput: Rumors pointed to four-carrier aggregation (4x CA) on Apple’s new modem, potentially capping peak speeds around 4 Gbps. Qualcomm’s X75 supports up to five sub-6 carriers—or ten with mmWave—allowing theoretical top speeds of 7–10 Gbps. Early field tests showed the X75 delivering roughly 25% faster 5G speeds than the X70 in real-world conditions.
Power and AI integration: One advantage Apple touts is the deeper integration between its A18 chip and the C1 modem. Qualcomm’s X75 has a dedicated “5G AI Processor Gen2,” but Apple coordinates modem power states through its Neural Engine. According to MacRumors, this should help the iPhone 16e achieve respectable battery life, despite the modem’s potentially less advanced manufacturing node.
[Image from Apple]
Strategic independence from Qualcomm: Apple has long aimed to remove reliance on external vendors wherever possible, following its success with in-house A-series and M-series chipsets. Its 2019 acquisition of Intel’s modem business jump-started its own 5G R&D. By first rolling out C1 in the iPhone 16e, Apple can test and refine on a mid-range device before risking any flagship reputation issues.
Cost savings and margin improvements: Producing modems internally can trim $15–$20 off the bill of materials (BOM) per device—a notable saving for Apple’s lower-priced models. Despite renewing its Qualcomm licensing agreement until 2027, Apple’s endgame is minimizing patent royalties and hardware fees from third parties.
Greater ecosystem control: Apple’s “vertical integration” extends deeper with in-house modem engineering, enabling tighter coordination of antennas, software, and power management. Future C-series modems are projected to add full mmWave support and advanced satellite capabilities. According to The Economic Times, Apple aspires to match Qualcomm’s performance by 2026 and surpass it by 2027.
| Confirmed rumors | Incorrect or different from rumors |
|---|---|
| Apple’s first in-house modem made its debut (now officially called C1), confirming the move away from Qualcomm reliance. | The official name is iPhone 16e, not “iPhone SE 4.” |
| The device indeed features a 6.1-inch OLED display and a 48MP main camera. | The official starting price is $599, higher than the rumored $449–$499 range. |
| It has the A18 chip, providing performance on par with the flagship iPhone 16 lineup. | The in-house modem is branded “C1,” rather than the rumored “Sinope.” |
| There is a significant battery life improvement over previous budget iPhones. | Apple has not confirmed whether mmWave is excluded—details were not addressed in the official press release. |
| An Action button is present on the iPhone 16e, which was not predicted by earlier rumors. |
Apple aims to close the modem gap
While Apple’s progress is evident, Qualcomm maintains leadership in carrier aggregation, mmWave throughput, and broad market certifications. Apple’s second-gen modem, rumored for 2026, could add mmWave and approach 6 Gbps speeds, with a 2027 iteration aiming for advanced AI-driven radio features and enhanced satellite integration.
Testing and certifying a new modem across multiple carriers worldwide remains Apple’s biggest challenge. Earlier prototypes reportedly struggled with heat dissipation and power efficiency, leading to project setbacks. Launching C1 in the iPhone 16e—rather than in the higher-profile flagship—is a strategic way to minimize risk. Still, Apple remains liable for royalty payments on standard-essential 5G patents held by Qualcomm, Nokia and Ericsson, so “going in-house” isn’t an immediate escape from licensing fees.
