Overview

• Apple says the new C1X delivers up to twice the speed of the original C1 with roughly 30% lower power use, and it is currently exclusive to the ultra‑thin iPhone Air.
• Other iPhone 17 models continue to use Qualcomm modems that include mmWave support, while reporting differs on whether the C1X adds mmWave capability.
• The N1 chip is standard across the iPhone 17 lineup, bringing Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, with Apple touting more reliable AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.
• Ookla’s latest analysis finds Apple’s first‑gen C1 modem broadly comparable to Qualcomm in most markets but behind on advanced 5G networks that lean on features like four‑carrier aggregation and 5G SA.
• In the U.S., T‑Mobile’s widespread four‑carrier aggregation favored the Qualcomm‑equipped iPhone 16 (317.64 Mbps median vs. 252.80 Mbps for C1), while C1 often posted stronger uploads and steadier results in weak‑signal conditions.