Apple's c1x modem catching up with qualcomm in 5g speed tests

Apple's shift away from Qualcomm modems appears to be paying off, with the iPhone Air's C1X modem showing significant improvements in 5g speed tests.

Closing the gap

According to Ookla's latest results, the C1X modem in the iPhone Air has largely caught up with Qualcomm's flagship X80 modem found in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. While the X80 has a slight edge in raw specs, real-world performance is much closer.

The median results, which represent typical daily network conditions, show the C1X modem delivering faster download speeds and lower latency in many markets, including the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, Sweden, Singapore, and Japan. Mid-band 5g performance during peak hours proved to be a particular strength for the Apple-designed chip.

However, the C1X failed to show significant gains in Brazil, India, and Malaysia, where network congestion and lower-band 5G deployment hinder its advantages.

Notably, the iPhone Air outperformed the iPhone 17 Pro Max in latency tests, with lower latency recorded in 19 out of 22 markets. This could indicate that Apple's tighter integration between its modem and processor provides a smoother overall experience.

As Apple continues to invest in its in-house modem development, it seems increasingly likely that the company will further reduce its reliance on Qualcomm in the near future.