Apple's first custom-built 5G modem, the C1, is proving its strength in India with download speeds that nearly match Qualcomm's industry-leading chipsets. For those unaware, the Apple C1 model was first introduced with the iPhone 16e earlier this year.
According to Ookla's Q2-Q3 2025 Speedtest Intelligence report, the iPhone 16e clocked an average 5G download speed of 213.26 Mbps on Jio's network. That's just shy of Qualcomm's 225.54 Mbps speed.
The findings are based on a comparison between the iPhone 16e, powered by Apple’s C1 modem, and the iPhone 16, which continues to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon modem. Such a side-by-side comparison provides the clearest perspective yet about how Apple's in-house modem competes with a long-time industry-leading modem.
Now, this performance gap narrows further on other operators. For example, on Airtel 5G, Apple's C1 reached 182.29 Mbps, reportedly, which is identical to Qualcomm's 183.28 Mbps. When it comes to Vi, the model recorded 110.87 Mbps in comparison to Qualcomm's 112.13 Mbps.
At the higher end of speeds, Qualcomm still maintains a lead, albeit slim. However, while Qualcomm continues to dominate in terms of peak speeds, the Ookla report highlights how consistent and reliable the C1 modem is.
On the other hand, at the lower end of performance, Apple's C1 model often delivered more stable results. In simpler terms, users living in congested urban areas will find the iPhone 16e's C1 model more reliable.
Outside India, Japan has become the leading market to adopt the iPhone 16e. However, Qualcomm-powered iPhones like the iPhone 16 emerge victorious in peak speeds in the U.S.
Globally, Ookla's analysis across 21 regions shows that Apple's C1 performs strongly in real-world conditions and often surpasses Qualcomm in upload speeds. If Apple continues refining its in-house modems, there's a high chance that the next iteration could fully close the gap.
India is undoubtedly one of the world's fastest-growing 5G markets, with Reliance Jio and Airtel rapidly expanding coverage. With average speeds crossing 200 Mbps on Jio's network, Apple's C1 makes a solid debut and ensures that Indian users don't miss out on stable 5G networks.
