Apple’s first 5G modem, the C1, was launched with the iPhone 16e. A new test report has revealed results that contradict Apple’s claims about the performance of the C1 modem. The report shows that Android devices with Qualcomm modems perform better than the iPhone 16e in 5G speed tests.
Qualcomm modems appear to be faster than Apple C1
The tests were conducted on T-Mobile’s sub-6 GHz standalone 5G network in New York City. In measurements conducted by Cellular Insights, two Android phones with Snapdragon X75 and X80 modems had download speeds up to 35 percent faster than the iPhone 16e.
The difference was even more pronounced in upload speeds; devices with Qualcomm modems achieved upload speeds up to 91 percent faster. In addition, the iPhone 16e encountered a notable problem during the test. The device overheated at times and became too hot to touch.
The report does not clarify whether this situation directly affected the test results, but it does state that the Apple modem faces thermal limits in long-term use. Such temperature increases can reduce modem performance.
The segment difference between the tested devices is also striking. The iPhone 16e is positioned as a mid-to-high-end device with a price tag of $599. One of the Android phones with a Qualcomm modem has a price tag of $799, while the other has a price tag of $619.
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