Apple is preparing a major leap forward in modem technology for its next generation of iPhones. Following the debut of the iPhone 16e with Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, the C1, and the subsequent C1X modem that powered the iPhone Air, the company is now gearing up to introduce the C2 chip across all iPhone 18 models, including updated Air and Fold variants.
According to a report from China’s Commercial Times, Apple plans to use a 4nm C2 modem in its upcoming smartphones, while also leveraging TSMC’s latest 2nm process for the A20 and A20 Pro processors. Although the publication doesn’t reveal much about the C2’s specifications, earlier reports suggest the new modem will finally bring support for blazing-fast 5G mmWave connections, marking a significant milestone in Apple’s networking ambitions.
When Apple launched the iPhone Air with the C1X chip, Arun Mathias, the company’s Vice President of Software Technologies and Ecosystems, emphasized Apple’s commitment to expanding its in-house cellular solutions. “We were really focused on what we needed for iPhone Air,” Mathias said, adding that Apple intends to roll out its proprietary modems across more products over time.
The C2 Modem: A Strategic Shift
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the C2 modem will deliver download speeds of up to 6 gigabits per second. It will also support six-carrier aggregation on Sub-6 5G bands and eight-carrier aggregation for mmWave networks. With this move, Apple is expected to accelerate its departure from Qualcomm-supplied modems, reinforcing its long-term strategy to vertically integrate key technologies across its hardware lineup.
This shift could also lead to Apple equipping other devices—such as future iPads and even cellular-enabled Macs—with its own modems, further tightening the ecosystem.
What’s Next for Apple’s Connectivity Chips
So far, there’s been little mention of a successor to Apple’s N1 wireless chip, which currently supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity. Given its advanced capabilities, Apple may continue using the N1 for at least another generation.
If the timeline follows Apple’s recent release pattern, the company is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Fold, and iPhone Air in late 2026, followed by the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in early 2027. Should these reports prove accurate, Apple’s custom modem strategy will mark one of its most significant technological milestones since its transition to in-house silicon.
