The iPhone 16e stands out for various reasons. Its most remarkable feature is Apple’s inaugural cellular modem, the C1. In a recent interview with Reuters, Johny Srouji, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, hinted that the C1 represents “just the beginning” of Apple’s journey in this domain.
Additionally, Andru Edwards had the chance to visit Apple’s modem testing facilities for an exclusive look at the development process behind the new C1 modem.
During the Reuters interview, Srouji stated:
“We create a platform for generations. The C1 is just the beginning, and we intend to enhance this technology with each generation, aiming to establish a platform that will distinctly set our products apart.”
Srouji further explained that Apple did not aim to replicate the specifications of modems produced by other manufacturers like Qualcomm. Rather, the focus was on addressing the specific requirements of Apple products. “We’re not a merchant vendor competing with Qualcomm and MediaTek. We believe we’re developing something that truly distinguishes our offerings for customers,” he commented.
Andru’s video provides an intriguing glimpse into Apple’s modem testing labs, showcasing the rigorous assessments the C1 underwent prior to its incorporation into the iPhone 16e.
Andru also learned about several fascinating C1 features during discussions with Srouji and Arun Mathias, Apple’s VP of wireless software. One standout detail is the interaction between the C1 and the A18 chip within the iPhone 16e.
For instance, in high-traffic network environments, the A18 chip can instruct the C1 modem to adjust traffic dynamically, ensuring your priorities are met in real-time. If you’re sending a photo or video to someone, the A18 directs the C1 to give precedence to that data transfer over other tasks.
Furthermore, Apple reveals that the baseband modem in the C1 is crafted using 4-nanometer fabrication technology, while the transceiver utilizes a 7-nanometer process.
I highly encourage you to check out Andru’s video, which we’ve included below.
