Apple C1 Modem Surpasses Qualcomm Snapdragon X71 in Key Benchmarks: Enhanced Efficiency, Quicker Uploads, and Superior Connectivity with Major U.S. Carriers

Apple has been diligently developing its proprietary C1 modem for several years, and this advance was recently highlighted during the launch of the iPhone 16e. While initial reports suggested that Apple’s modem may lack the capabilities of Qualcomm’s offerings, it has been noted for its superior power efficiency, which contributes to enhanced battery performance in the iPhone 16e. Current benchmarks indicate that Apple’s C1 modem has surpassed Qualcomm’s modems in numerous performance tests.

Performance Insights: Apple’s C1 Modem vs. Qualcomm

Years of meticulous engineering have led to the advent of Apple’s C1 modem, showcasing promising potential that may herald significant improvements in future iterations. Recent studies have disclosed that the C1 modem outshines the Qualcomm modem in various benchmarks. By comparing the performance of the C1 modem within the iPhone 16e against the Qualcomm modem of the iPhone 16, the findings reveal unexpected results.

Speed benchmarks of Apple's C1 modem versus Qualcomm modem

According to a performance analysis conducted by Ookla, data was gathered across three major U. S.carriers—AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile—evaluating low, medium, and high-performance tiers. The results indicate that in the lower 10th percentile of performance, the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem demonstrates superior download speeds compared to Qualcomm’s modem. Although both modems show comparable results in the medium performance tier, the iPhone 16 ultimately outperforms the C1 chip in the upper 90th percentile, achieving higher download speeds across all three networks.

Apple's C1 modem outperformed by Qualcomm modem in benchmarks

While these findings may seem astonishing, especially considering that the C1 modem marks Apple’s entry into the modem market, Ookla emphasizes that the significance of these numbers may vary for users.

Performance at the lowest 10th percentile often provides a more accurate reflection of the overall quality of experience (QoE) than the fastest 90th percentile, which can be skewed by deployments in mmWave-covered locations and is subject to declining marginal returns.

In practical terms, the iPhone 16e demonstrated enhanced performance on AT&T and Verizon networks, whereas the iPhone 16 took the lead on T-Mobile. When analyzing upload speeds, the iPhone 16e substantially outperformed the iPhone 16 across all major carriers, achieving nearly double the upload speeds particularly on AT&T and Verizon networks. We will continue to provide updates and performance tests related to the C1 modem, so stay tuned for more insights.

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