A render of what the iPhone 17 could look like.
Most of Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup won’t be using its new C1 modem, Ming-Chi Kuo claims, but they will still benefit from a new in-house Wi-Fi chip design.
Apple’s introduction of the iPhone 16e also brought with it the C1, an internally-designed modem to wean Apple off from Qualcomm’s version. However, it seems that most models in the next iPhone generation won’t be using it.
According to a Thursday X post from TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a hardware survey reveals that only the iPhone 17 Air will get the C1 modem in the future. Kuo doesn’t specify, but this probably means Apple will be retaining the Qualcomm modems for the iPhone 17, Pro, and Pro Max models for at least one more year.
It is likely that the limited use of the C1 modem is due to its lack of mmWave support, though it does work with sub-6GHz bands of 5G. Without support for mmWave, Apple cannot say its iPhone will offer consumers the fastest cellular connectivity possible.
This may still be all part of Apple’s plan, as a December report claimed that Apple would target low-end products with its modem at first. Later iterations of the modem should improve, incorporating mmWave and other changes, with a full Qualcomm replacement expected across the iPhone range by 2027.
Ming-Chi Kuo has a very well established track record when it comes to Apple rumors and forecasts. Using supply chain checks, Kuo has managed to offer a high level of accurate information about future products.
New Wi-Fi
While Apple’s new modem won’t be in most iPhone 17 models, Kuo says that there will still be a wireless chip upgrade for the iPhone 17. An industry survey apparently indicates that all iPhone 17 models produced in the second half of 2025 will use Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chips.
The change will offer multiple benefits to Apple, including replacing Broadcom’s Wi-Fi chips to reduce cost. Kuo adds that it should also help “enhance connectivity across Apple devices.”
The chip, codenamed “Proxima” internally, is also expected to arrive in a refreshed HomePod mini and Apple TV in 2025, possibly as a precursor to the main iPhone releases in September.
Kuo previously forecast in October that the Wi-Fi chip shift would happen in 2025 for the iPhone 17.
