Leaked manufacturing data suggests that the iPhone 18 Pro could use different modems depending on the sales region: devices for the US are expected to continue using Qualcomm, while the rest of the world will use Apple's own C2 chip. This division would be a significant disadvantage for US buyers.
The switch to an in-house modem is among the most anticipated innovations of the upcoming Pro generation. Until now, it was widely assumed that the C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro would replace the last remaining Qualcomm component in the premium iPhone – this is also reflected in the continuously updated overview of all iPhone 18 Pro rumors. However, a new discovery from data stolen from Apple supplier Tata Electronics now paints a more nuanced picture: the transition might be incomplete.
Two modems, two markets
According to the documents, a bill of materials exists for the US version of the iPhone 18 Pro that lists several Qualcomm components instead of the C2 modem. The components mentioned are SDX80M, SDR875, QDM8771, QDM8720, PMK75, PMX75, and QET7100A – components associated with mmWave 5G support. The international models, on the other hand, are expected to use the C2, which is reportedly codenamed "Ganymede" internally and replaces the C1 and C1X modems currently found in the iPhone Air, iPhone 17e, and iPad Pro M5.
The origin of this information deserves context: The data stems from a cyberattack on Tata, in which a ransomware group called "World Leaks" allegedly stole and subsequently circulated more than 630 gigabytes of confidential documents. An independent analysis of the circulating files concluded that the authenticity of several key documents could be confirmed - elevating the discovery beyond mere rumors, without making it an official confirmation (via AppleInsider).
Why Qualcomm remains in the USA
The technical reason for this appears to be a shortcoming of the C2: The modem reportedly still doesn't support mmWave. This ultra-high-frequency 5G variant delivers very high download speeds over short distances and is primarily offered by Verizon in the US. Apple's flagship iPhones have supported mmWave since 2020 – a standard the company would be reluctant to fall behind in the important US market.
The reason Apple doesn't simply use the C2 chip everywhere is less technical than economic. Journalist John Gruber attributes the division to the interests of mobile network operators: Verizon, and to a lesser extent AT&T, have invested heavily in expanding their mmWave networks and therefore don't want to sell flagship smartphones that don't utilize these networks. Faster-than-necessary download speeds are thus primarily a marketing ploy by the carriers – not a practical benefit for users.
The price for US buyers: shorter delivery time
Apple's C1 and C1X modems are considered significantly more energy-efficient than the corresponding Qualcomm chips. If the US iPhone 18 Pro retains a Qualcomm modem, buyers there could experience slightly shorter battery life than those purchasing the same device outside the US. This is particularly interesting because, according to previous leaks, the US models are supposed to have the larger battery cell – an efficiency disadvantage in the modem could partially negate this advantage. Gruber takes a pragmatic view of the practical benefits of mmWave anyway: In his tests, regular 5G was more than fast enough, while mmWave primarily drains the battery without providing any noticeable speed increase in everyday use.
A second, less obvious disadvantage concerns data privacy. Apple's own modems are linked to the "Limit Precise Location" setting, which provides mobile network operators with only coarsely resolved location data and is available exclusively on devices with a C1 or C1X chip. A US model with a Qualcomm modem would therefore likely not offer this option – while the international C2 variants would presumably include it.
An intermediate step away from Qualcomm
Even if the split falls short of the hoped-for complete solution, it would be a remarkable step forward in Apple's years-long effort to break free from Qualcomm's dependence. If the C2 were to serve most of the world and Qualcomm were to cover only the US market, the dependence would, for the first time, be reduced to a single region. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected in the fall – along with Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Ultra. Until then, the modem split remains a well-documented, but unconfirmed, indication that Apple's path to complete modem independence could still take another step. (Image: Shutterstock / Jess Rodriguez)
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