From MacRumors · · 1m 40s
The US iPhone 18 Pro Max has a different modem
Apple quietly confirmed that one iPhone 18 model ships with a Qualcomm chip instead of its own, and only in America.
In brief
Apple quietly confirmed that one iPhone 18 model ships with a Qualcomm chip instead of its own, and only in America. If you buy an iPhone 18 Pro Max in the US, you get a Qualcomm modem, not Apple's new C2. Everywhere else, and every iPhone 18 Pro, gets the C2. Originally reported by MacRumors.
Apple updated the fine print
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Apple revised the tech specs pages for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max to spell out which models carry its new C2 cellular modem, and in which countries.
One model, one exception
The iPhone 18 Pro uses the C2 modem everywhere. The iPhone 18 Pro Max uses it everywhere except the United States.
iOS 27 code gave it away
A tipster digging through Apple's software updates found that US units of the Pro Max carry a Qualcomm modem instead. Apple has not explained why.
A contract that runs out
Qualcomm said in 2023 it would supply Apple with modems through 2026. One theory: Apple is honoring that deal in the smallest way it can.
“perhaps Apple is equipping the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max with a Qualcomm modem in order to honor this agreement in a minimum way”
C2 finally catches up
The C2 is Apple's first in-house modem with mmWave 5G in the US, something Qualcomm chips have had since the iPhone 12. Apple claims faster uploads and 15% less energy than the C1X.
“meaningfully faster uploads”
Third chip in 19 months
C1 arrived in the iPhone 16e in February 2025, C1X in the iPhone Air that September, now C2 in the Pro line and the foldable iPhone Duo. Benchmarks against the likely Snapdragon X85 are coming.
The headline
If you buy an iPhone 18 Pro Max in the US, you get a Qualcomm modem, not Apple's new C2. Everywhere else, and every iPhone 18 Pro, gets the C2.
