iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to get a next generation C2 modem, enabling some new advantages for the Apple flag. But an analyst report says there’s a new N2 chip coming to the iPhone 18 Pro as well, continuing an exciting trend.
Apple’s silicon is expanding and surprising with new chips
Not so long ago, the term ‘Apple silicon’ referred exclusively to the main processor in products such as the iPhone, Mac or iPad. For example, the A19 chip in the iPhone 17 and the M5 in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro.
But as of last year, Apple’s silicon teams now make 5G modems and wireless chips in-house as well.
These might seem like pretty boring iPhone components, but Apple’s offerings so far have been more exciting than you might think.
When the C1 modem debuted on the iPhone 16e, it came with it unexpected advantages:
- improvements in battery life
- better performance on congested data points
The C1 offers 5G data and other essentials of mobile connectivity, but with added Apple benefits.
The successor C1X GOING later in the year with the iPhone Air and M5 iPad Pro, and pushed the chip even further. The C1X offered speeds up to twice as fast as the C1.
Also last fall, Apple debuted its N1 wireless chip.
The N1 combines Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. Nothing exciting there. Except, as with C1, there was more to the story.
Apple says the N1 “improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.” It also comes with battery benefits for a number of reasons explained here.
But as you might expect, Apple’s silicon team has more to come.
N2 and C2 are coming to iPhone 18 Pro
Analyst Jeff Pu, in a research note first seen by 9 to 5 MacApple says it will have two new chips ready to launch this fall.
According to Pu, the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro will have a next-generation N2 chip and C2 modem.
Preliminary reporting has outlined what’s coming with the C2, such as the expected addition of mmWave 5G support.
While there are no specific details on what is changing with the N2, I have no doubt that Apple will make significant improvements.
Apple’s silicon team has been able to create surprising benefits and improvements to its Class C modems already in such a short time. This week’s iOS 26.3 new privacy feature it’s the last test.
All of this makes me excited to see what Apple has planned for the N2.
Taking greater control of the iPhone’s technology stack is clearly opening up greater opportunities for new features and improvements. I’m ready to see what happens next.
What do you expect from Apple N2 and C2 on iPhone 18 Pro? Tell us in the comments.
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