The performance of the first 5g modem designed by Apple are rather impressive

Apple has just released its first in-house modem, and surprise, it's not just a figurehead. While some expected a flop, the newcomer is holding its own against Qualcomm modems. It looks like Apple has succeeded in its first attempt.

Apple recently took a new step in its quest for technological independence. Its very first in-house cellular modem, the C1, now powers the iPhone 16e. And against all odds, it proves to be on par with the Qualcomm chips found in higher-end models.

The internet speed testing company Ookla has put the C1 to the test. Verdict? Apple's new kid on the block has nothing to be ashamed of when compared to the competition, quite the contrary.

Surprising performance

The C1 certainly doesn't support 5G mmWave, but it more than makes up for it in other ways. For the best-served users (top 90%), the iPhone 16th achieves average download speeds of 560 Mbps on the AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile networks. That's less than the standard iPhone 16 and its Qualcomm chip (756 Mbps), but the gap remains reasonable.

Where the C1 really shines is in less favorable situations. For the bottom 10% of users, the iPhone 16e outperforms its big brother with average speeds of 27 Mbps versus 16 Mbps. A great feat for a first try!

Apple's modem performs particularly well on the AT&T and Verizon networks. However, it struggles a little more on T-Mobile. When it comes to sending data, the C1 outperforms the Qualcomm modem in almost every test. Apple wasn't lying when it called it "the most energy-efficient modem ever in an iPhone."

These results confirm the impressions of many testers. Some even found that the C1 outperformed the iPhone 16 Pro's modem in certain use cases. Of course, keep in mind that the C1 doesn't support 5G mmWave. But in most everyday situations, that shouldn't be a problem. Apple seems to have succeeded, just as it did with its M chips for Macs.

The Cupertino company doesn't intend to stop there. There are already rumors that a C2 is in the works. Better yet, Apple is reportedly working on an all-in-one processor that integrates the modem. This could further improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.