Apple has officially unveiled its first in-house iPhone modem, the C1, debuting in the iPhone 16e—a major milestone in the company's push to reduce reliance on Qualcomm’s 5G technology.

Touted as the most power-efficient modem ever integrated into a smartphone, the C1 contributes to the iPhone 16e’s extended battery life. Apple highlights that the device’s redesigned internal architecture accommodates a larger battery, enabling up to 26 hours of video playback.

Supporting a range of low-end 5G bands, the C1 delivers connectivity comparable to the standard iPhone 16 but lacks mmWave support, meaning it won’t achieve gigabit-level speeds. Despite this, the introduction of Apple’s own modem underscores its commitment to hardware self-sufficiency.

The iPhone 16e also comes equipped with Apple Intelligence features, bringing advanced on-device AI capabilities such as Visual Intelligence for enhanced image processing and real-time optimizations.

However, photography enthusiasts may find the device somewhat lacking, as it features a single 48MP Fusion camera without an ultrawide sensor. Additionally, while the iPhone 16e retains the customizable Action Button, it omits the Camera Control button found in other models.

Apple’s modem development efforts trace back to its 2019 acquisition of Intel’s cellular modem business, signaling its long-term vision for greater control over its hardware ecosystem. While questions remain about how the C1 compares to Qualcomm’s well-established alternatives, introducing it in the budget-friendly iPhone 16e allows Apple to test the waters before a broader rollout.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e begin tomorrow, with shipments starting on February 28.