iPhone 18 Pro models expected to get Apple’s second generation 5G modem: Report

Apple C1 modem

Apple recently introduced its latest iPhone 16e earlier this year. The smartphone also debuted with the Apple C1 modem, which is positioned as the company's initial entry into the modem market after using Qualcomm modems for the past few years. However, this C1 modem does not come with mmWave bandwidth, which supports fast 5G connectivity in various countries. Thankfully, according to a new report, Apple will bring the second-generation 5G modem with the iPhone 18 Pro models.

According to a report by 9to5mac via Jeff Pu of GF Securities, the iPhone 18 Pro models will pack the next generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in 2026. This report corroborates with the previous information provided by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who also claimed in February that Apple is planning to use the C2 modem next year in next year’s high-end iPhones.

Further, Pu adds that Apple wants to pack the current C1 modem in the upcoming iPhone 17 Air. However, the company may not go ahead with this modem in this year’s iPhones and could use the C1 chip instead in iPhone 18 models while reserving the purported C2 for Pro models.

The C1, which debuted with the iPhone 16e last month, lacks support for mmWave, the extremely high frequency (EHF) band. This can result in slower download and upload speeds in crowded areas. However, an upgraded version of Apple's C1 modem with mmWave support is reportedly in development.