According to a leaker known as “@itspdfu,” who has been conducting in-depth research into Apple’s software updates in recent weeks, the iOS 27 operating system code reveals that the iPhone 18 Pro Max is equipped with a Qualcomm modem instead of the C2 chip used in the United States.
Apple has not yet provided an explanation for this difference in modem, so we can only speculate at the moment. In 2023, Qualcomm announced that it would provide Apple with smartphone modems until 2026, so Apple may equip the American version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max with a modem from Qualcomm in compliance with this agreement, at least.
Apple’s C2 modem supports ultra-fast 5G mmWave technology in the United States, unlike the previous generation C1 and C1X modems. Qualcomm modems in the iPhone 12 and later already support 5G mmWave technology in the United States, so Apple is striving to catch up.
Apple confirmed that the C2 modem provides significantly faster download speeds compared to the C1X modem, while consuming 15% less power.
Apple’s first-generation C1 modem appeared for the first time in the iPhone 16e in February 2025, while the second-generation C1X modem appeared for the first time in the iPhone Air in September 2025.
Now, the third-generation C2 modem has arrived on the iPhone 18 Pro models, with the exception of the iPhone 18 Pro Max in the United States, as Apple’s move away from Qualcomm continues.
It is not yet clear what type of Qualcomm modem is used in the American iPhone 18 Pro Max devices, but it is likely that the Snapdragon X85 modem will be used.
Practical performance tests over the coming weeks are expected to show how close the performance of both the C2 modem and the Snapdragon X85 modem is.
