As Apple prepares to cut ties with Qualcomm for modems for its next generation of smartphones, rumours suggest that the entire iPhone 18 lineup, alongside the upcoming iPhone Fold, will rely on Apple modems. While Apple's new upcoming modem will focus on performance upgrades, early insights suggest it may also boast privacy upgrades.
Upcoming Apple Modems Could Hide User Location from Carriers
According to rumours reported by MacRumors, Apple may expand a security feature called Limit Precision Location and tie it to its upcoming hardware. For the uninitiated, the brand rolled out the feature in iOS 26.3 release as a way to limit the precise location setting to reduce the location data that could be used by carriers.
Normally, whenever an iPhone connects to a cellular tower, the mobile network can pinpoint the exact user address. This feature restricts that. When turned on, the carrier can only see your general neighbourhood.
Using this feature doesn't hurt cellular reception, internet speed or users' ability to make emergency calls. First responders will still receive the exact user location when someone needs help. It only stops carriers from keeping a daily log of user movements.
Currently, Limit Precision Location only works on iPhones that are using the C1 or C1X modems, such as the iPhone Air, iPhone 17e and the iPad Pro M5. Because phones like the iPhone 17 series still use Qualcomm chips, the setting is completely hidden for them. However, the launch of the iPhone 18 series and the C2 modem will change that.
When the iPhone 18 launches, users might not be able to use the feature for a while, as carriers need to add support for the same on their networks. The adoption rate, even now, is painfully low, due to very obvious reasons. The only carriers supporting it are Boost in the US, and a few in the UK, Germany, Ireland and Thailand.
With Apple working on iPhone 18 and the feature expanding to more models, manufacturers should be forced to accept the new privacy standard, giving users the privacy respite they have always deserved.
