Apple has developed the C1 modem, which is available in the iPhone 16e.
The benefits of the C1 include better battery and improved data flow. However, rumors suggest that later this year, the C1 modem will only be found in one iPhone model —the rumored iPhone 17 Air, a device aimed more at impressing with design than offering significant functionality.
The rest of the iPhone 17 line will be using Qualcomm modems.
Reasons? Who knows. Maybe commitments from previous deals. Perhaps it is just in case the C1 modem shows any issues. Or maybe it is as simple as Apple being Apple —you know, dangling something new and shiny while keeping it mostly out of reach for most people, until they get bored and Apple finally tosses it to everyone. Imagine next year, during their keynote: "For the first time ever, the C1 modem will be available on the Pro models." And the year after that: “For the first time ever, the C1 modem will be available on the non-Pro models, while the Pro models get a newer C2.”
You know that’s going to happen.
It's very typical of Apple to include specific features on certain devices, targeting a particular group to establish a community. If there's anything Apple truly excels at, it's marketing.
In other news, we are seeing reports that Apple’s OS 19 will undergo huge revamps, which sounds pretty exciting. However, it’s all hearsay, so we'll just have to wait and see. One particularly interesting rumor is that iOS 19 may include live translation features for its AirPods.
I know, I know —we've seen this before with other products. But still, a lot of people use Apple products, and I think we should all be happy for them. (Before you raise your pitchforks, let me say —I am an Apple user myself, so be happy for me!)
However, we know absolutely nothing about whether this will be exclusive to the newer Apple AirPods Pro, or if older Pro models will receive it too. My bet, it’s going to be exclusive.