iPhone 18 Pro could make a major transition away from Qualcomm modems in favor of an Apple-designed C2. Here’s the latest update on what to expect.
Qualcomm has been Apple’s primary supplier of iPhone cellular modems for a very long time. But the two companies have also been destined for a breakup for years.
Currently Apple ships some iPhones with its own in-house cellular chips like C1X, while most models use Qualcomm modems.
It’s been rumored for a while that this fall’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will include a next-gen C2 chip from Apple. If true, that means the entire fall iPhone lineup could drop Qualcomm—a major change for both companies.
Recently though, stolen files from the Tata cyberattack indicated Apple might take a split approach to iPhone 18 Pro’s modem: launching C2 in most of the world but using Qualcomm in the US.
Personally, I would prefer to get a C2 model due to the advantages Apple-designed modems bring. And yesterday’s Qualcomm earnings hinted that I might get my wish. Per my colleague Marcus:
In an interview with Reuters, [CEO] Amon said Qualcomm “expects revenue from Apple products to decline more quickly starting in the fourth quarter as supply constraints reduce its share of components used in the next iPhone launch to well below its earlier estimate of 20%.”
Based on this quote, it sounds like Qualcomm components may have very little presence in this fall’s iPhone models. And I can’t imagine that would be true if the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max had Qualcomm modems in the US.
With only three new iPhone models expected this fall, one of which is too expensive to be a top seller, this implies that iPhone 18 Pro will indeed ditch Qualcomm.
Perhaps the leaked Tata files contained outdated information. Or they don’t represent the full picture of what Apple has planned. In any case, I’m hopeful that iPhone 18 Pro will have the C2 chip that’s long been rumored—even in the US.