Apple Inc.Apple debuts its in-house C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro, advancing its custom silicon and reducing Qualcomm reliance.
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro features the company's in-house C2 cellular modem, while the U.S. specifications for the iPhone 18 Pro Max do not mention the C2, leaving it unclear which Qualcomm modem is inside the larger model. The C2 supports sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G in the U.S. and Apple says it delivers AI-powered improvements to cellular quality and reliability, faster uploads than the C1X and 15% lower energy consumption. The split could stem from supply constraints, particularly because Apple is using the C2 across the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. The development marks another step in Apple's gradual effort to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm, which has supplied cellular modems to Apple for years; Apple began breaking that dependence in 2025 with its first custom modem in the $599 iPhone 16e. Despite missing the C2 in the U.S., the Pro Max gets a major battery advantage, rated for up to 45 hours of video playback versus 36 hours for the Pro, compared with 39 and 33 hours respectively for last year's models. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 and the Pro Max at $1,299, with both going up for preorder Sept. 12 and becoming available Sept. 18.
Apple Inc.Apple debuts its in-house C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro, advancing its custom silicon and reducing Qualcomm reliance.
Applovin Corp
Qualcomm IncorporatedApple's in-house C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro further erodes Qualcomm's modem supply role, though the Pro Max still uses a Qualcomm modem.
Intel Corporation