Despite Apple’s push toward in-house modem development, the iPhone 17 Pro series still relies on Qualcomm’s aging Snapdragon X80 for 5G connectivity
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 Confirmed in iPhone 17 Pro Max
A teardown video from Chinese platform Bilibili, now making rounds on Reddit, confirms that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 modem.
- The same modem is likely used in both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, marking another year of Qualcomm modem integration.
- This contrasts with the iPhone Air, which features Apple’s custom C1X modem, signaling the company’s gradual shift toward proprietary connectivity hardware.
What Makes the Snapdragon X80 Stand Out?
While not Qualcomm’s latest offering, the Snapdragon X80 does bring enhanced 5G features, especially for performance and coverage.
- It includes a dedicated AI accelerator to optimize data speeds, latency, network coverage, and power efficiency.
- The modem supports mmWave 5G, offering ultra-fast data at short range—ideal for dense urban environments.
- Only U.S. iPhone 17 models include mmWave support, as mmWave is still not widely adopted globally.
Apple’s Modems: Still Catching Up
Apple’s C1 and C1X modems—featured in the iPhone 16e and iPhone Air—are currently limited to sub-6GHz 5G.
- Sub-6GHz offers slower speeds than mmWave but provides wider coverage, making it ideal for suburban and rural regions.
- Apple is steadily investing in modem development, but its custom solutions still lag behind Qualcomm in mmWave compatibility.
Snapdragon X80 Already Outpaced by X85
Despite being in the latest iPhone 17 lineup, the Snapdragon X80 is no longer Qualcomm’s flagship modem.
- The newer Snapdragon X85 is already in Android flagships and boasts major improvements.
- Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon highlighted a “huge delta” in performance between X85-equipped Android phones and iPhones with the X80.
Looking Ahead: Apple’s C2 Modem in 2026?
Reports suggest that Apple’s in-house C2 modem will debut with the iPhone 18 Pro models.
- It’s expected to finally support mmWave, potentially allowing Apple to fully drop Qualcomm’s hardware.
- If successful, this transition would give Apple end-to-end control over its wireless stack—improving both performance and integration.
