Here’s How the iPhone 16e’s C1 Modem Stacks Up Against the iPhone 16 Qualcomm Modem – MacRumors

🔍 Summary:

Apple’s iPhone 16e features the company’s first in-house C1 modem, marking a significant shift from its previous reliance on Qualcomm modems. Performance comparisons reveal that the iPhone 16e generally matches or surpasses the iPhone 16 in sub-6GHz speed tests, although results vary by network. Users on Verizon and AT&T experience better median download speeds with the iPhone 16e compared to the iPhone 16, while T-Mobile users see slightly better performance with the iPhone 16.

One notable limitation of the iPhone 16e is its lack of mmWave 5G support, restricting it to sub-6GHz networks. This means it cannot access the ultra-fast mmWave networks predominantly available in urban areas, which gives the iPhone 16 an edge in maximum achievable speeds.

Despite this, the iPhone 16e excels in areas with poor connectivity and consistently outperforms the iPhone 16 in upload speeds across all carriers. The C1 modem also enhances the device’s efficiency, leading to improved battery life over the iPhone 16. Apple’s development of the C1 modem represents a move towards reducing its dependency on Qualcomm, with plans already underway for a next-generation C2 modem that is expected to support mmWave 5G.

This development is part of Apple’s broader strategy to integrate more custom technology into its devices, as evidenced by other innovations like new artificial intelligence features and dedicated apps for creative tasks.

📌 Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/19/iphone-16e-c1-modem-test/