- By Alex David
- Sun, 14 Sep 2025 12:53 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Apple's launch of the iPhone 16e in February 2025 marked an historic event: for the first time ever, they equipped an iPhone with their own proprietary C1 cellular modem instead of using Qualcomm hardware; since then, questions have arisen as to whether this new homegrown solution can compete with proven solutions from Qualcomm.
A new performance report based on Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence data (Q2–Q3 2025) sheds light on the head-to-head battle between the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem and the iPhone 16’s Qualcomm modem, across multiple 5G markets worldwide.
Download Speeds: Qualcomm Still Leads in Most Markets
The data shows that the iPhone 16 (Qualcomm) came out on top in 12 of 21 advanced 5G markets, including the US, India, China, and Saudi Arabia.
- Saudi Arabia saw the biggest performance gap:
- iPhone 16: 353.49 Mbps
- iPhone 16e: 295.01 Mbps
In the US, T-Mobile users also reported faster speeds on the iPhone 16, with 317.64 Mbps versus 252.80 Mbps on the iPhone 16e. Analysts attributed this to Apple’s C1 modem supporting three-carrier aggregation, compared to four-carrier aggregation on Qualcomm’s chip.
Where the iPhone 16e Shines
Interestingly, the iPhone 16e didn’t fall behind everywhere. In Canada, the tables turned:
- iPhone 16e: 23.91 Mbps
- iPhone 16: 11.57 Mbps
Report reveals that Apple's iPhone 16e performed exceptionally well when measured against 10th percentile download speeds, meaning users in areas with poor connectivity experienced more stable performance with Apple's modem. This may be attributed to C1 optimisations for subGHz networks prioritising reliability and coverage over peak speeds.
Technical Limitations and Future Outlook
The differences in performance stem from key technical constraints.
- The iPhone 16 features uplink MIMO and advanced 5G standalone carrier aggregation technology for improved performance on robust networks.
- The iPhone 16e is optimized to deliver consistent speeds but cannot match up against the Qualcomm-powered flagship in raw speed tests.
Still, analysts believe this is just the beginning. As 5G SA networks mature and Apple continues refining its in-house modem design, performance gaps may shrink—or even reverse—over time.
What This Means for Apple’s Future
Apple’s decision to design its own modem was as much about strategic independence as performance. Breaking free from Qualcomm reduces supply chain risks, lowers licensing costs, and strengthens Apple’s vertical integration.
While the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem shows mixed results today—slower in high-performance markets but steadier in low-coverage scenarios—it’s a first-generation product. With more iterations ahead, Apple is positioning itself to control yet another critical piece of iPhone hardware.
For now, users seeking peak 5G performance may still prefer the iPhone 16, but the 16e signals Apple’s long-term ambitions in the connectivity space.