U.S. iPhone 18 Pro Max Uses Qualcomm X80 Modem as Apple Limits C2 to Other Markets
Updated
Updated · MacRumors · Sep 18
U.S. iPhone 18 Pro Max Uses Qualcomm X80 Modem as Apple Limits C2 to Other Markets
3 articles · Updated · MacRumors · Sep 18
Summary
TechInsights’ teardown confirmed the U.S. iPhone 18 Pro Max carries Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 modem, making it the only iPhone 18 model and the only Pro Max market variant not using Apple’s C2.
Firmware had already pointed to the X80, and TechInsights also identified a new Apple mmWave 5G antenna module in the U.S. Pro Max.
Apple has not explained the split, but the setup may help satisfy Qualcomm’s 2023 supply agreement, which runs through 2026, while shifting most of the lineup to Apple-designed modems.
C2 now supports U.S. mmWave 5G and, Apple says, delivers meaningfully faster uploads with 15% lower power use than the prior C1X, setting up a direct performance comparison with Qualcomm’s modem.