Apple's C1 Modem to Get mmWave Support in Upcoming Refresh
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Apple is reportedly working on an upgraded version of its C1 modem, addressing a key functionality missing from the current model. Introduced with the iPhone 16e last month, the C1 modem marked Apple’s first-ever proprietary cellular modem, designed to reduce the company's reliance on Qualcomm. However, the modem's current capabilities come with a limitation: it lacks support for mmWave, which could potentially result in slower 5G speeds.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed that the original C1 modem, found in the iPhone 16e, uses a combination of a 4nm or 5nm baseband, 7nm low-frequency transceivers, and 7nm transreceivers for immediate frequencies, along with a 55nm Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC). While the C1 modem supports sub-6GHz 5G and boasts energy efficiency, it doesn’t support mmWave, the high-frequency band that enables faster data speeds.
Kuo notes that Apple is developing a refreshed version of the C1 modem to incorporate mmWave support, which would improve download and upload speeds. However, Apple is unlikely to use a 3nm baseband for this update, as it isn't the most power-hungry component in a modem. Instead, the company is expected to add transreceivers and front-end components based on a 28nm node to enable mmWave support.
Apple's C1 modem process technology:
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 6, 2025
- Baseband: 4/5nm (both technologies are similar)
- Low-frequency/Sub-6 TRx (Transceivers): 7nm
- Intermediate Frequency (IF) TRx: 7nm
- PMIC: 55nm
The C1 refreshed version is under development for mass production next year, aiming to improve…
While adding mmWave support is technically feasible, Kuo highlights that balancing performance with low power consumption will be a key challenge for Apple. The new version of the C1 modem is expected to address these challenges while offering improved 5G capabilities, keeping Apple’s modem development on track for reducing reliance on external suppliers like Qualcomm.