Research Firm CEO States Apple’s C1X 5G Modem Lags Behind Qualcomm in Raw Performance, Highlights Battery Benefits

Apple made headlines recently by unveiling its advanced C1X 5G modem, which will debut in the new iPhone Air. This powerful baseband chip promises remarkable speed improvements over Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75, boasting a 30% reduction in power consumption. However, the CEO of a prominent research firm expressed a preference for Qualcomm modems when it comes to raw performance. Yet, he acknowledges that for users seeking superior battery life, the C1X serves as an unbeatable option.

Qualcomm Remains a Key Player in Apple’s 5G Modem Future

Commenting on the ongoing debate about 5G modem performance, Ben Bajarin, the CEO of Creative Strategies, shared his insights during a CNBC segment. His analysis leans towards Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80, which has been integrated into all iPhone 17 models except for the iPhone Air, presumably due to its enhanced speeds and mmWave network compatibility.

Although the C1X outperforms the Snapdragon X75 in speed, it does face limitations, specifically the absence of mmWave 5G connectivity, which restricts it to sub-6GHz frequencies. Nevertheless, Apple’s custom modem compensates for this compromise with exceptional efficiency. Although the specific manufacturing process for the C1X remains unclear, Apple has highlighted an impressive 27 hours of video playback time for the iPhone Air.

The synergy between the C1X and Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip is critical in achieving this impressive battery life. Bajarin emphasizes that Apple’s seamless integration of hardware and software grants the company a significant advantage in optimizing power usage, a feature that will surely appeal to many users. In contrast, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips can only achieve speeds permitted by existing network infrastructures, which means they often don’t reach their maximum advertised capabilities.

“It may not be as good as Qualcomm’s yet, in terms of just overall throughput and performance, but they can control it and they can make it run at lower power. So you’re going to get better battery life.”

Bajarin also predicts that Apple will continue to depend on Qualcomm’s modems for the foreseeable future, rather than swiftly phasing them out. Interestingly, during the recent unveiling of the iPhone 16e, which features the C1, reports surfaced indicating that Apple is already developing the C2 modem, presumably equipped to handle mmWave networks.

Looking ahead, Apple’s licensing agreement with Qualcomm is set to expire in March 2027, which may signify a crucial turning point in their partnership. Nevertheless, Apple aims for a more integrated approach, intending to merge 5G modem technology with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities into a singular chip design. Such innovations may materialize sooner rather than later, as evidenced by Apple’s ongoing development efforts.

For further details, you can read the original report on CNBC.

Source and images available at: Wccftech