- A new report suggests that iPhone 17 will not get Apple’s new C1 modem
- IPhone 17 Air, however, is tipped to get the new chip
- Apple can choose a Mediatek modem for the four most important iPhone 17 models
With each new generation of iPhone, we expect to watch Apple fit its advanced flagship phones with its latest and biggest features-for example, we expect the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max to come equipped with updated video capacities, an updated design and a faster processor as well as the most groundbreaking components of the phone itself.
However, a new rumor suggests that Apple is skipping its latest self-designed internal component when it comes to the iPhone 17 family-if this rumor is true, Apple’s next handset doesn’t get its new C1 cellular modem.
This comes from a report from the publication of the information (via phonearena) that suggests iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Plus, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a Medatek 5G chip to Wi-Fi, Cellular Connectivity and Bluetooth, rather than Qualcomm -The modem found in the iPhone 16 setup.
The C1 modem was only recently revealed when Apple debuted the iPhone 16E, the first Apple device for Sport Apple’s new modem.
Interestingly enough the report also suggests that iPhone 17 Air will Get the C1 chip and that this inclusion will play a significant role in letting the iPhone 17 Air be so much thinner than its full-size siblings.
Apple has sought ways to reduce its dependence on external component manufacturers in the last few years, most prominently developing its own chips and chipset.
If Apple has a rival in the mobile chip room, it would definitely be Qualcomm that equips many of the best Android phones with its Snapdragon series -Chipset. Its current flagship processor, Snapdragon 8 Elite, beat Apple’s own A18 Pro chipset in benchmarks when we first got hold of the last year.
From this perspective, it makes sense that Apple wants to stop giving Qualcomm its business – although Apple is not stranger to buying components from rival companies equipping the iPhone with panels and several parts made by Samsung.
In any case, most users will not notice much of a difference between one or the other modem-but to limit a larger new hardware feature to a middle-class phone and an ultra-thin spinoff would be strange behavior from Apple. As 9TO5MAC notes, the C1 chips may not last long -we have heard that Apple is eventually planning to braid the C1 feature with its head A series -chipset to create an integrated platform.
In any case, we do not expect to hear official information about the iPhone 17 family before much later in the year. Until then, the above is mostly based on rumors – be sure to check out our list of the best iPhones for an update on the top Apple hand sets currently available.
