iPhone 17 Air to adopt C1 modem from iPhone 16e
The new Apple iPhone 16e may have disappointed many Apple users, but it made history: It features the first in-house C1 cellular modem. Now an industry analysis by renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shows that the iPhone 17 Air will also be equipped with the C1 modem.
Interestingly, Kuo believes that the rest of the iPhone 17 series will continue to be powered by Qualcomm’s cellular modems. The only reason Apple spent years developing its own modem chip is because the Californian company wants to break free from its dependence on Qualcomm. But if the iPhone 17 series won’t use the C1 modem, that could betray Apple’s own lack of confidence in its chip.
The iPhone 16e, currently the cheapest way to enter the iOS ecosystem, represents an opportunity for Apple to field test the C1 modem without jeopardizing its flagship models. Early comparison tests will reveal interesting results, but the modem’s exclusion from the iPhone 16 series is already a pretty clear indication.
Of course, since this is a first-generation product, the C1 modem can still be greatly improved. But if Apple is OK with a likely less powerful modem on the Air model, the phone could potentially have other drawbacks as well. Initial reports claimed that the iPhone 17 Air will not be as powerful as its direct competitors and will sell mainly on the strength of its sleek design, including titanium.
iPhone 17 Air or 17e?
But if Apple is using something that has only been used on a mid-range iPhone so far, then the Air may have more in common with a potential iPhone 17e. In addition to less powerful (and fewer) cameras and perhaps even an older processor, it is also likely that the battery will be smaller.
In everyday use, however, the C1 modem should work fine for the average user. But it does raise some questions about what exactly the iPhone 17 Air will offer and who the target audience is.
