iPhone 18 Pro Could Use Qualcomm Modem in the US and C2 Elsewhere
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models may use a Qualcomm modem for mmWave 5G in the US, while using Apple's own custom C2 modem in other markets. The approach would allow Apple to debut its in-house modem globally while relying on Qualcomm for the challenging US mmWave requirements.
Background
- Apple has been working for years to replace Qualcomm's cellular modems with its own in-house chips (codenamed "Sinope," then "C1," now "C2"), aiming to reduce reliance on a key rival and gain more control over iPhone hardware.
- The first Apple-designed modem, the C1, debuted in the iPhone 16e (a lower-cost model) in early 2026; the C2 is expected to follow in flagship iPhones.
- This rumor suggests the iPhone 18 Pro (likely launching in late 2026) may use a Qualcomm modem for U.S. models (to support mmWave 5G, which Apple's modems still struggle with) while using Apple's own C2 modem in countries where mmWave is less important.
- mmWave is a high-frequency, short-range flavor of 5G used mainly in the U.S. for ultra-fast speeds in dense urban areas; most other countries rely on slower but longer-range "sub-6" 5G bands.
- The story matters because it signals that Apple's modem independence may remain incomplete — even two generations in, it might still need Qualcomm for the U.S. market's unique requirements.