The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to get a next-generation C2 modem, which will bring several new benefits to Apple’s flagship. But an analyst report says the new N2 chip is also coming to the iPhone 18 Pro, continuing an exciting trend.
Apple silicon expands and surprises with new chips
Not so long ago, the phrase “Apple silicon” exclusively referred to the main processor in products such as the iPhone, Mac or iPad. For example, the A19 chip in the iPhone 17 and the M5 in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro.
But since last year, Apple’s silicon teams are now making 5G modems and wireless chips in-house as well.
It might sound like pretty boring iPhone components, but Apple’s offerings so far have been more exciting than you might think.
When the C1 modem debuted in the iPhone 16e, it brought unexpected benefits:
- improving battery life
- better performance in congested data locations
The C1 offers the basics of 5G data and other essentials of mobile connectivity, but with additional Apple benefits.
The follow-up C1X was launched later in the year with the iPhone Air and M5 iPad Pro, pushing the chip even further. The C1X offered up to twice the speed of the C1.
Also last fall, Apple introduced its N1 wireless chip.
The N1 combines Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. Nothing exciting there. Except, like the C1, there was more.
Apple says the N1 “improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.” It also comes with battery gains for various reasons explained here.
But as you might expect, Apple’s silicon team has even more to offer.
N2 and C2 are coming to iPhone 18 Pro
Analyst Jeff Pu, in a research report he saw 9 to 5 Macsays Apple will have two new chips ready to launch this fall.
According to Pu, the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro will have a next-generation N2 chip and a C2 modem.
Previous reports have outlined what’s coming with the C2, such as the expected addition of mmWave 5G support.
While there aren’t any concrete details on what’s changing with the N2, I have no doubt that Apple will make meaningful improvements.
Apple’s silicon team has been able to build surprising benefits and improvements into their Class C modems in such a short amount of time. This week’s new iOS 26.3 privacy feature is the latest proof.
All of this makes me excited to see what Apple has planned for the N2.
Taking more control over the iPhone technology stack clearly provides greater opportunities for new features and improvements. I’m ready to see what happens next.
What do you expect from Apple N2 and C2 in iPhone 18 Pro? Let us know in the comments.
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