Recent analysis reveals that Apple has not completely moved away from Qualcomm's technology in its latest iPhone 18 Pro series. A teardown conducted by TechInsights has uncovered notable differences between the 5G modems used in the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max, particularly for the models available in the United States.
Teardown Findings
The teardown focused on the iPhone 18 Pro Max model A3473, designated for the US market. Inside this model, analysts discovered that it is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 modem rather than Apple’s own C2 modem. Additionally, the teardown identified the Qualcomm SDR875 RF transceiver, which operates in conjunction with the modem.
Modem Specifications
Apple officially lists the C2 cellular modem in the specifications for the iPhone 18 Pro. Interestingly, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is also marketed with the C2 modem in various international markets, the US variant diverges by utilizing Qualcomm's modem. This suggests that the distinction in modems is not solely attributed to the device's size, making the US version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max an exception.
Apple's Push for In-House Technology
The shift towards the C2 modem is part of Apple's strategy to develop essential components for cellular connectivity independently. During the introduction of the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple highlighted that the C2 modem enhances both the quality and reliability of cellular connections, thanks in part to artificial intelligence. The company also claims that the C2 modem offers higher upload speeds compared to the previous C1X generation while consuming 15% less power. Moreover, the C2 modem supports mmWave 5G connections in the US.
Ongoing Analysis and Speculation
Despite the advancements, Apple has yet to clarify why the iPhone 18 Pro Max in the US continues to utilize the Snapdragon X80 modem. TechInsights has suggested that this finding might indicate a difference in configurations based on geographical regions or potentially multiple modem configurations within the iPhone 18 lineup. Further analysis is ongoing.
Some reports have linked this situation to Apple's existing supply agreement with Qualcomm, which is believed to extend through 2026 for the provision of modems for new smartphones. However, this remains an external interpretation and has not been confirmed by Apple.
Interestingly, the Snapdragon X80 modem is not new to Apple; it has also been used in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models. Apart from the modem discrepancies, TechInsights' teardown revealed several Apple-made components in the US version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, including the Apple N1 wireless connectivity chip and a new mmWave antenna module.
Source: https://inet.detik.com/consumer/d-8671785/iphone-18-pro-dan-pro-max-ternyata-pakai-modem-5g-berbeda
