TECH NEWS – Apple’s first in-house 5G modem is faster than the Snapdragon X75 and more power-efficient, but experts say Qualcomm still holds the edge in raw performance.

Apple unveiled its C1X 5G modem in the iPhone Air, claiming it’s 30% more energy-efficient while beating the Snapdragon X75 in speed. However, Ben Bajarin, CEO of Creative Strategies, believes Qualcomm’s modems remain superior in raw performance. That’s likely why the Snapdragon X80 is used in every iPhone 17 model except the Air—largely due to its mmWave support.

While the C1X outpaces the X75, it lacks mmWave connectivity and is limited to sub-6 GHz frequencies. Its manufacturing process hasn’t been disclosed, but Apple highlights the 27 hours of video playback as proof of its energy efficiency. Apple’s N1 wireless chip also contributes to the device’s strong battery life. According to Bajarin, Apple’s tight hardware-software integration gives it better control and improved battery management, which many users value. Still, even Qualcomm’s X75 and X80 can’t hit advertised maximum speeds due to network infrastructure limits.

Apple’s roadmap: C2 and the Qualcomm licensing deal

Bajarin expects Apple to keep relying on Qualcomm modems for several more years. Rumors already suggest the C2 is in development with mmWave support. Meanwhile, Apple’s modem licensing deal with Qualcomm runs until March 2027—possibly the last year of dependency.

Apple’s long-term goal is to integrate the 5G modem, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth chips into a single package. Given the pace of progress, that milestone may come sooner than anticipated.

Source: WCCFTech, CNBC