Apple is a company that loves to be as self-reliant as possible. This is why it involves itself in as much of its hardware as possible, ensuring that it works seamlessly and efficiently with its software. We’ve seen this in action with components like the A-series chipset that powers the iPhone, and earlier this year, Apple debuted its C1 in-house modem with the iPhone 16e. Now, a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that Apple could bring an improved modem to the iPhone 18 Pro.
Improved modem coming to iPhone 18 Pro
Based on what we know so far, Apple will continue using Qualcomm’s modems for this year’s iPhone 17 lineup. This is because the C1 represents Apple’s first attempt at making a modem. It’s functional, but not exactly the best. It is also why Apple kept it to the budget-friendly iPhone 16e, instead of using it for its main flagship series.
However, Gurman claims that Apple will introduce its second-gen modem in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in 2026, and that might be good news for several reasons.
For starters, the use of Apple’s own in-house modem could mean better battery life. While the C1 modem wasn’t exactly the best modem , it did result in the iPhone 16e being more efficient, leading to longer-lasting battery life . We can only assume that the upgrades coming in the second-gen modem could result in even better battery life.
Plus, like we said, having more control over its hardware means Apple has the luxury of finetuning and optimizing the entire product to work faster and more efficiently. Also, there is a potential upside of reducing costs. Buying from someone else might be easier, but it also means you’re allowing someone else to dictate the price.
Apple might face higher upfront costs during the development of its modems, but it could pay off in the long-run. Let’s not forget Trump’s tariffs. With Apple expected to continue relying on imports for the near future, any way to reduce its overall costs will go towards keeping future iPhone prices down, or at least within a reasonable range.
Change in iPhone strategy in 2026
In addition to the use of a C2 modem, that might not be all Apple plans to change next year. A recent report suggests Apple could shake up its launch strategy . The company might skip the launch of the base iPhone 18 in 2026. Instead, the company plans to go with a two-stage launch.
The first half of the year will see Apple launch a new iPhone “e” series. Then in the second half, Apple will launch the iPhone 18 Air, Pro, and Pro Max models. The base iPhone 18 is expected to return in the first half of 2027.
