With the arrival of the new iPhone 16E, which will land in stores on February 28, Apple has given entry to its own 5G modem, the expected CP C1, which improves the connectivity of the device, reduces its battery consumption and puts End to Apple's dependence on other suppliers.
It still remains to be seen the performance of this new chip that marks the beginning of the technological independence of the Cupertino company, but what is sure is that Apple's plans do not end there and it is only a First step.
According to a report from The InformationApple has very clear plans to leave Qualcomm behind and bet on internal solutions and new technological partners.
New 5g Apple chips
The first big change will be seen this year at the Apple Watch Ultra, where Apple will eliminate the Qualcomm modem to incorporate one of MediaTak. This choice is not accidental: MediaTak is one of the few manufacturers capable of developing Advanced 5g Modems. The change will not only optimize Apple Watch connectivity, but will also allow the device to materialize the 5G REDCAP, a 5G service specifically designed for wearables that do not require standard speeds, improving energy efficiency and performance.
But the most interesting is yet to come. Apple already works on a new custom modem, with a “ganymede” code name, which will be released in 2026. This modem will incorporate support for 5G MMWave, a technology that allows download speeds of up to 6 Gbps, well above 4 GBPS offered by the current C1 chip. This advance will allow the next iPhone and, at least, an iPad model, offer an ultra -grape connectivity experience, especially in high -density urban environments. With this play, Apple will not only improve the performance of its devices, but also will reduce its third parties dependencean objective that the company has been pursued for a long time.
However, Apple is aware that there is still a way to go. Although the second generation modem will offer significant improvements, it will still not overcome Qualcomm in terms of performance. The real leap will arrive in 2027, with the launch of the third generation modem, internally known as “Prometheus.” This new chip will not only exceed Qualcomm in speed, but will also incorporate Advanced capabilities promoted by artificial intelligencebringing the user experience to a new level.
Apple separates from Qualcomm
Apple's plans coincide with the previous reports of Bloomberg, where Mark Gurman said that the second generation modem will be presented together with the iPhone 18 series in 2026 and will arrive at the iPad Pro a year later. In addition, Gurman mentioned that Apple has the firm intention that its third generation modem finally exceeds Qualcomm, something that, according to the latest information, seems increasingly possible.
With this strategy, Apple is heading towards a future where it will have the absolute control of the important hardware of its devices. The C1 chip has opened the door, but what comes promises to be even more revolutionary. Apple's technological independence is no longer a distant dream, but a reality that is about to completely transform the user experience.
