Apple moves to its own modem silicon with the C1
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Apple has launched a phone with its own modem silicon for the first time with the C1, marking a move away from Qualcomm and bringing more of the semiconductor supply chain under its direct control.
Apple has had a chequered history with its modem chip suppliers, having signed a six year licensing agreement with Qualcomm in 2019 following Apple’s purchase of the Intel smartphone modem business and a significant court case. The two signed a deal a more recent deal to supply modems through 2026.
The C1 chipset in the 16e, which is available to pre-order in the US and UK today with shipping next week, is the first modem designed by Apple and the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone. The baseband is built on a 4nm process technology while the 5G FR1 transceiver, including a satellite link at 2GHz, is built on 7nm. It does not include mmWave 5G FR2 support.
The C1 chipset is coupled with an all-new internal design, with the latest A18 processor and advanced power management in the iOS 18 operating system to provide a lifetime up 30% for the 3279 mAh battery compared to the much older iPhone 11. That had a 3110mAh battery that lasted up to 17 hours of video playback, 65 hours of audio playback, and 10 hours of streaming video. The 16e provides up to 27 hours of video, says Apple, largely as a result of the move to a lower power OLED screen.
The version of the A18 used in the iPhone 16e has four GPUs, down from five in the version used in the latest iPhone 16 Pro, and down from 6 used in the high end iPhone 16 Pro Max. This indicates that the parts are binned, potentially with non-functioning or underperforming GPUs switched off. This gives an indication of the yields on the 3nm N3E process at TSMC used to build the chip.
The C1 modem also supports direct links to satellites in low earth orbit so that users can text via satellite when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. This includes Messages via satellite to text friends and family; Emergency SOS via satellite to connect with emergency services; and Roadside Assistance via satellite to reach a roadside assistance provider in case of car trouble.
Apple has deals with satellite operators GlobalStar and Elon Musk’s StarLInk.
The 16e also moves to USB-C for charging at 20W to meet EU power supply and electronic waste legislation as well as 7.5W Qi wireless charging.
The iPhone 16e also increases the amount of recycled content to 30%, with 100% recycled cobalt and 95% recycled lithium in the battery, 85% percent recycled aluminium in the enclosure,
The main logic board and back glass of iPhone 16e are designed to be manufactured more efficiently, reducing the amount of raw materials needed. The packaging is also entirely fibre-based to remove plastic from its packaging by the end of 2025.
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