Qualcomm Refutes Apple C1 Modem Performance Claims

Apple debuted its first in-house cellular modem, the C1, in its entry-level iPhone 16e back in February, claiming at the time that it delivered improved power efficiency and “fast and stable 5G cellular connectivity.” Since then, insider reports have suggested that the C1 is magically faster than the much more mature Qualcomm modems that Apple uses in its other iPhones. And that Apple wasn’t marketing that fact because it would make those more expensive devices look bad by comparison.

Today, Qualcomm called bull#$%t on that claim via a commissioned study that tested the C1 modem against its modems. And it is predictably claiming that the C1 falls short, especially in dense urban areas like New York City.

“Across all RF scenarios, the Qualcomm-based Android devices consistently outperformed the iPhone 16e,” a report from Cellular Insights explains. “For users seeking consistent, high-throughput 5G performance, Qualcomm-powered devices currently hold a clear edge.”

The firm tested two comparably priced (sub-$800) Android devices, each using a slightly different Qualcomm Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System, and an iPhone 16e using the Apple C1. The tests were conducted using the T-Mobile commercial sub-6 GHz Standalone (SA) 5G network in New York City, which Cellular Insight says utilizes a mix of low- and mid-band FDD and TDD spectrum.

“The performance difference between Android devices and the iPhone 16e was tangible and observable,” the report says. The Android devices posted download speeds that were 34.3 to 35.2 percent faster than the iPhone, while the upload speeds were 81.4 to 91 percent faster. The speed differences were greatest in sub-optimal RF conditions, and the Qualcomm modems utilize modern features like FDD+FDD ULCA that the C1 lacks.

“This study yielded several notable insights, some expected, others surprising,” Cellular Insights says. “While all three devices delivered somewhat comparable 5G performance under ideal, near-cell conditions, performance deltas became increasingly pronounced as signal conditions deteriorated … The iPhone 16e struggled to match Android performance on both the downlink and uplink.”

Bloomberg seems to think it’s odd that Qualcomm is “taking a shot” at one of its biggest customers, given that Apple accounts for roughly 20 percent of Qualcomm’s revenues. But Apple is actively working to remove Qualcomm chips from its devices, and it’s never been shy about that. These two companies have been competing as long as they’ve been cooperating.