Gurman: Future Apple modems are likely to be integrated with the main chipset

With the latest power in the newsletter, Markgerman reports that Apple plans to integrate future modems within the device’s main chipset. This means that in the future there will be no both A18 chipsets along with another C1 modem, and instead everything will be one. However, this development takes several years.

With the announcement of the new iPhone 16E, the new C1 modem went a little under the radar. This was Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, and was part of a bigger plan to replace the Qualcomm modem from the iPhone. This first generation modem is only available on the iPhone 16e and is probably not part of the entire iPhone lineup.

Future modem planning

Gurman outlines that C2 modems will be displayed on “high-end iPhones” next year, and the next C3 would ideally outperform Qualcomm modems. At the moment, the C1 is still a regression to some extent, but its power efficiency allowed the new iPhone 16E to spend the best battery life on a 6.1-inch iPhone.

After they surpass Qualcomm, Apple aims to integrate the modem within the device’s main chipset. According to Gurman, this is more cost-effective. However, this development will take at least three years. Garman says it won’t be early in 2028.

With this development I ask one question: If the modem is integrated, will Apple create separate versions of the chipset without a modem? On iPads and Apple Watches, Cellular is another $50-$150 upgrade depending on the model.

If Apple’s House Modes enabled cellular feature on all devices by default, it’s really cool, but you only know the time.

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