Apple is advancing its hardware independence by developing its own cellular modem, reportedly debuting in the iPhone 17 Air.
The company launched its first in-house modem, the C1, alongside the iPhone 16e last month.
Apple Accelerates Hardware Independence with In-House C1 Modem Debuting in iPhone 17 Air
This shift reflects Apple’s ongoing strategy to reduce dependence on third-party component suppliers like Qualcomm.
The C1 is Apple’s first-generation baseband chip, managing mobile network communication for iPhones.
The modem is built using a combination of semiconductor processes: 4/5nm for baseband logic, 7nm for transceivers, and 55nm for power management circuitry.
Apple’s approach balances performance and cost, avoiding the latest processes like 3nm, which offer limited benefits for modems.
Since the baseband modem isn’t the main power consumer in a phone, moving to advanced nodes wouldn’t yield major efficiency gains.
The current C1 supports solid data speeds and reliable performance on 4G and sub-6GHz 5G networks.
Apple to Launch Upgraded C1 Modem Next Year with Enhanced Efficiency and mmWave 5G Support
Apple is working on a refreshed version of the C1 modem for mass production next year.
The updated C1 will improve power efficiency, boost transmission speeds, and add support for mmWave 5G.
Adding mmWave 5G is not technically difficult, but Apple’s challenge is maintaining performance without harming battery life.
The mmWave components are expected to use a 28nm process, reinforcing that cutting-edge nodes aren’t necessary for this hardware.
Users may benefit from tighter hardware integration, more consistent connectivity, and future innovations made possible by Apple’s control over modem design.
However, the initial user experience may not change significantly; the real benefits will unfold over time.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a silicon-carbon battery for better efficiency and longer life, despite its smaller 2,800mAh capacity.
It is rumoured to be Apple’s slimmest and among its lightest smartphones, possibly weighing around 146g.
Face ID is expected to remain the biometric security method.
Apple is likely to use a 7000 series aluminium alloy frame to reduce weight, rather than the titanium used in Pro models.
The frame might weigh up to 30g, while the heaviest components — the 120Hz OLED display and the battery — are estimated to weigh 35g each.
Camera specs could include a single 48MP rear camera and a 24MP front camera for selfies and video calls.
The device will probably be powered by Apple’s upcoming A19 chip and feature 8GB of RAM, similar to the iPhone 16 Plus.
A glass back and support for MagSafe wireless charging are also expected.
Overall, Apple seems to be targeting a lightweight, high-performance phone with minimal compromise.
These details are based on leaks and rumours and should be verified once Apple makes an official announcement.
