A few hours ago, Apple took the stage to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro series and the much-awaited foldable iPhone Duo. While the brand revealed many of the details on stage, the use of the Apple C2 modem inside the new iPhones flew under the radar.
Apple C2 5G Modem Specifications and Features
The all-new Apple C2 5G modem supports both sub-6 GHz and US mmWave bands, specifically n258, n260 and n261. This makes it the first-ever Apple-made network hardware to support mmWave frequencies.
For months, reports suggested Apple would keep using Qualcomm modems for US mmWave networks. mmWave is technically demanding, and both the Apple C1 modem and C1X modem did not support mmWave frequencies.
On performance, the Apple C2 chipset builds on the C1X and adds AI directly into the cellular stack. On-device algorithms monitor signal conditions and tower handoffs in real time to keep connections steady in crowded or weak-coverage areas.
Apple also claims 50% faster upload speeds while drawing 15% less power than the Apple C1X. The C2 modem is paired with the Apple N1 chipset for better wireless network connectivity. Both SoCs work in tandem with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Threads.
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Apple Still Partially Relies on Qualcomm in the USA
Moving on, while the Apple C2 5G modem is present inside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone Duo in markets like India, Qualcomm has not disappeared entirely in the USA.
Image Credit: Apple
Image Credit: Apple
The C2 is listed on the spec sheets for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo, but is missing from the USA iPhone 18 Pro Max product page. This is because the US iPhone 18 Pro includes LTE Band 106, while the US iPhone 18 Pro Max does not.
That said, the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max prices start in India at Rs 1,64,900 and Rs 1,79,900, respectively. Both phones start at 256 GB of storage and will go on sale on September 18, 2026. There is also the new foldable iPhone Duo starting at a whopping Rs 2,99,900.
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