iPhone 17 Air Will Lack mmWave Support, Expected to Feature Apple’s C1 Custom 5G Modem

Apple is poised to make a significant impact with the launch of its iPhone 17 Air, primarily by introducing its first device that features both a proprietary Wi-Fi chip and a custom 5G modem. According to reports, this sleek flagship model will indeed incorporate these components, but it appears that Apple has opted to re-use an existing baseband chip instead of developing a new one specifically for this model. As such, the iPhone 17 Air will utilize the C1 modem, similar to the iPhone 16e. While this technology promises benefits, it comes with a notable limitation: the absence of mmWave network support.

Transitioning to the C1 Modem: Implications for Battery Life and Network Speed

Mark Gurman from Bloomberg indicates that the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, with the exception of the Air model, is set to be equipped with Qualcomm’s 5G modem. In contrast, the iPhone 17 Air will retain the original C1 modem used in the iPhone 16e, as there will be no new C2 baseband chip available for this more compact version. A significant trade-off with the C1 modem is its lack of mmWave compatibility; it only supports sub-6GHz networks. While mmWave technology can deliver impressive downlink speeds exceeding 1 Gbps, sub-6GHz networks offer a more stable connection with ranges of 100 to 700 Mbps.

Despite these limitations, the sub-6GHz band boasts superior coverage, making it a more reliable option that is easier on battery life. The iPhone 16e has already been acclaimed for its outstanding battery performance, a feature partially attributed to the efficiency of the C1 modem. This advantage will likely carry over to the iPhone 17 Air, especially considering that the device is rumored to be equipped with a relatively modest 2, 800mAh battery.

The iPhone 18 Pro will also get the second gen Apple modem. This year’s Pro phones will use Qualcomm still. The slim phone though will use the first gen Apple modem, like the 16E.https://t.co/fhoI2CdIOu

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 24, 2025

Enhancements in battery management will be facilitated by the synergy between the C1 modem and the A19 Pro chipset, which intelligently prioritizes data traffic based on user needs, optimizing battery performance. Thus, while the iPhone 17 Air may lack mmWave support, the expected benefits in battery life make it a worthwhile consideration. Nevertheless, Apple may face scrutiny over this decision, particularly since the pricing of the iPhone 17 Air is anticipated to be on the higher side.

For more insights, check out Mark Gurman’s details on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/markgurman/status/1959719079469830642).

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