Apple appears ready to take a massive step toward achieving complete control over its flagship devices. A recent report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman sheds light on Apple’s 2026 product launch plans, confirming the company intends to completely abandon Qualcomm cellular modems for the iPhone 18 Pro models in favor of its own in-house connectivity solution.
For years, Apple has relied on Qualcomm to power cellular telecommunications across the iPhone lineup. However, the company has long sought greater independence from external vendors. This will allow them to reduce costs and increase control over the hardware-software integration on their iPhones. The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, slated for a Fall 2026 release, will reportedly be the first premium device to use the second generation of this effort: the Apple C2 modem.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models to use proprietary Apple’s C2 modem
This is not Apple’s first attempt at an in-house cellular solution. The company already introduced its initial effort, the Apple C1 modem, which debuted in the more budget-focused iPhone 16e. The C1 successfully brought basic cellular connectivity in-house, but it currently lacks the premium performance required for a Pro model. More specifically, the C1 offers decent network performance but still lags behind Qualcomm’s modems. It also lacks 5G mmWave connectivity. 5G mmWave is a technology for high-speed networks in urban environments.
Apple has a lot of work ahead to ensure the new C2 component closes this performance gap. The success of the iPhone 18 Pro hinges on the C2 delivering a cellular experience that matches, or even exceeds, the quality Qualcomm currently provides.
The complicated rollout
The transition will not be instant across the entire portfolio. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will ditch Qualcomm in fall, 2026. However, Apple will likely continue selling the previous iPhone 17 (which uses a Qualcomm modem). Additionally, other leaks suggest the launch of the base iPhone 18 model might be delayed until 2027. The potential iPhone 17e could also arrive that year. On the other hand, the fate of the iPhone 18 Air could be in question after the disappointing sales of the current “Air” model.
This rollout pace means buyers will still have options with Qualcomm modems next year. However, the decision to use the Apple C2 in the flagship iPhone 18 Pro marks a major turning point. If fulfilled, it will confirm Apple’s commitment to completely internalizing the core communication hardware in its premium iPhone devices.
