While waiting to offer its own 5G modem in its iPhones, Apple continues to source from the best 5G modem supplier: Qualcomm. For the latest iPhone 16, Apple has opted for the latest generation of 5G modem, which promises to offer users crazy download speeds. Of course, to take advantage of this, your operator’s 5G coverage will have to be good!
5G speeds on the rise with the iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will offer a nice step forward in terms of 5G connectivity, Apple would have integrated a brand new modem signed Qualcomm, the Snapdragon X75. Although Apple has not yet confirmed this information on its website, several reliable sources point to the inclusion of this latest generation modem.
The Snapdragon X75 delivers up to 26% faster download speeds compared to the previous generation, provided you have good 5G coverage from your carrier. In early testing, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max show an average speed increase of 23.7% on major US carrier networks, which shows a nice improvement in the experience for users who like to stream, play online games, or download large files.
On the network of the American operator AT&T, users reported a 25.7% increase in 5G download speeds with the iPhone 16 Pro during preliminary tests. In addition to this, upload speeds, which are also essential for sharing content and video conferencing (FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, etc.), increased by an average of 22.1% thanks to this new modem.
Among all this good news, there is a weak point, only the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models benefit from the Snapdragon X75. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, on the other hand, keep the 5G modem of the previous generation, identical to that of the iPhone 15. This choice could be explained by a saving to preserve the profit margin, as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus bring in less to Apple compared to the Pro models, the company cannot afford to bring as many new features as on the Pro models.
Reduced energy consumption and better 5G management
Beyond the much better speeds, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 also improves carrier aggregation, which helps optimize frequency band management to deliver faster overall performance. Additionally, this new modem promises a major reduction in power consumption, a boon for users who regularly rely on 5G throughout the day.
