Apple’s recent announcement of the iPhone 16e confirmed the inclusion of its custom-designed C1 modem chip. This chip notably lacks mmWave 5G support, raising questions about its presence in other upcoming iPhones. It now appears the iPhone 17 Air, slated for a fall release, may also forgo mmWave capabilities.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air will likely feature the same C1 chip found in the iPhone 16e. This strongly indicates the iPhone 17 Air will also omit mmWave 5G technology.
Understanding the Implications of mmWave Absence
While mmWave 5G boasts impressive speed at short ranges, making it ideal for densely populated areas, sub-6GHz 5G offers wider coverage. Although slower than mmWave, sub-6GHz remains fast and is the more prevalent 5G technology globally.
The C1 chip’s inclusion reveals two key points. First, if implemented in the iPhone 17 Air, mmWave 5G will be absent. Second, this implies the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will continue utilizing Qualcomm modem chips, supporting both mmWave and sub-6GHz technologies.
Apple’s Future 5G Modem Plans
Gurman further reports Apple is developing a second-generation, in-house 5G modem supporting both sub-6GHz and mmWave. This chip is projected to debut in the iPhone 18 lineup, expected in September 2026.
Is mmWave Omission a Concern?
The lack of mmWave in the C1 chip is unlikely to be a significant drawback. Outside the U.S., mmWave availability is limited, making its absence less impactful. Apple currently only sells mmWave-compatible iPhone models in the U.S. market.
iPhone 16e and 17 Air Availability
iPhone 16e preorders commence tomorrow, February 21, with shipments beginning February 28. The iPhone 17 Air, positioned to replace the iPhone Plus model, is anticipated to be Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet, featuring a distinctive design separating it from the rest of the 2025 iPhone lineup.
