Apple replaces Qualcomm’s RF modem with its first in-house chipset in the iPhone 16e

An article written by Ihor Pershukov, PhD Technology & Cost Analyst, Radio Frequency at Yole Group for EverythingRF – The Apple iPhone 16e’s debut in February 2025 marked a pivotal moment for Apple’s trajectory. It introduced the C1—its first in-house manufactured modem—and signaled a shift toward deeper technological self-sufficiency. Despite leveraging TSMC’s advanced technology process, the C1 module still lacks some key connectivity features. 

“Apple’s 2025 will also have another seismic change, and that’s the first 5G modem designed by Apple. This should cut them loose from Qualcomm’s communications hardware and offer more precise control over its own hardware.” — Forbes. 

Over the past few years, Apple has gradually shifted toward producing core technologies in-house, marking a long-standing trend. It started with the A4 chip in 2010, then its own GPU in 2017, power management unit in 2018, and the M1 Mac processor in 2020. Qualcomm, with its dominant position in cellular connectivity, supplied Apple with modems and RF receiver-transceivers for years. Although they agreed on a multi-year supply deal in 2019, Apple still aimed for its own modem. Later that year, Apple acquired Intel’s modem business. By early 2025, Apple’s first in-house modem, the C1, debuted in the budget-friendly iPhone 16e. By introducing it in a lower-tier product first, Apple allowed for both transition and the opportunity to assess user feedback. However, their technology still needs development since the solution lacks features like mmWave support and Wi-Fi 7… Full article.

Source: www.everythingrf.com

Apple breaks free: the era of in-house modems begins

With the C1, Apple takes a bold step away from Qualcomm and reshapes its technology strategy.

Apple’s unveiling of the iPhone 16e in February 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the company’s history, introducing its first in-house modem, the C1, and signaling a strategic shift in its technological autonomy.…