iPhone 16e is the First Look at How Apple’s C1 Modem Performs With Early
Adopters
The launch of the iPhone 16e was indeed a milestone in Apple's ongoing quest for achieving greater technological independence. Being the very first iPhone to be equipped with Apple's own in-house-designed C1 modem, this groundbreaking phone is a strong and bold break from the usual reliance on Qualcomm, a company that has been supplying modems to iPhones for more than ten years now.
Early technology adopters, as well as avid tech enthusiasts, are eagerly waiting as they anticipate seeing and judging how the C1 modem will hold up when subjected to a variety of real-world applications. They are especially curious to test its performance, particularly against the Qualcomm-powered counterpart, the iPhone 16.
In this detailed and comprehensive report, we'll take a closer look at the performance of the iPhone 16e as it operates on the three primary telecommunications networks: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. We'll discuss the numerous implications that result from Apple's unusual choices regarding modem design, and we'll unveil the reasons why this significant change is most important to everyday users who use their phones on a daily basis. By including informative observations based on Speedtest Intelligence® data, examining carrier network plans, and explaining relevant technical specifications, aims to give you all the relevant information you need to understand not only the potential strengths of the iPhone 16e but also its potential weaknesses.
The iPhone 16e and the C1 Modem from Apple:
Exploring the Essentials
Prior to jumping into the wide range of performance metrics
surrounding the iPhone 16e, it is critically important to
understand and appreciate the essential elements that most importantly
define the iPhone 16e and what makes it truly stand out compared to the
competition. Even if the iPhone 16e sports the same advanced
A18 processor and comes equipped with the slim 6.1-inch display as
we saw in the iPhone 16, what specifically defines the 16e apart from the
balance of the family is its stunning and groundbreaking
Apple-designed C1 modem. Let's take a close-up at everything
you should know:
Key Differences When Compared to
iPhone 16
No Support for mmWave: iPhone 16e lacks the
support for mmWave (millimeter wave) spectrum, a high-band frequency
associated with 5G technology that is popularly recognized for offering
amazing internet speeds. However, one should be knowledgeable about the
fact that the said band has a limitation in terms of coverage area.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: The device in question offers support for Wi-Fi 6 with newer technology
like 2×2 MIMO technology and Bluetooth 5.3 for more connectivity options.
It doesn't, however, include support for the new Wi-Fi 7 standard,
which is available on the latest iPhone 16 series.
Battery Life: According to Apple, the 16e amazing battery life sees it lasting for an
unbelievable period of up to 26 hours when utilized in video playback.
This is courtesy of the heightened power efficiency brought about by the
C1 modem, in addition to a well thought out reworking of the
internal architecture to assist in overall energy conservation.
The Significance of the C1 Modem:
Apple's move to embark on developing its own modem technology is
based on an express and intense desire to decrease the reliance on
external suppliers, particularly high-profile companies such as Qualcomm.
This radical shift in approach was further catalyzed by the acquisition of
Intel's modem business in 2019, which worked to accelerate and enhance
this dream exponentially. Even though the C1 modem has been
developed to facilitate low-band and mid-band 5G technologies (those below
6 GHz, that is), it is an interesting observation that its lack of support
for enabling mmWave technology, coupled with the limitations imposed by
carrier aggregation—where it supports a downlink of up to 3x compared to
Qualcomm's 6x capability—means that this is a first-generation product in
the process of finding its footing and applicability in the market.
Performance
Showdown: A Detailed Comparison of the iPhone 16e and the
iPhone 16 Across Several U.S. Cellular Carriers
Based on
the Speedtest Intelligence® data collected from March 1 through March 12,
we conducted a comprehensive comparison of median download and upload
speeds. We also compared the 10th percentile, or the slowest available
speeds, and the 90th percentile, or the fastest available speeds, for both
classes of devices on the networks provided by AT&T, Verizon,
and T-Mobile. Here is how they stack up against one another:
Median Download Speeds: An In-Depth Analysis and Comparison
of Each Carrier Individually
| Carrier | iPhone 16e Median Download | iPhone 16 Median Download | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 226.90 Mbps | 210.45 Mbps | +7.8% |
| Verizon | 140.77 Mbps | 135.20 Mbps | +4.1% |
| T-Mobile | 264.71 Mbps | 357.47 Mbps | -26% |
AT&T and Verizon: iPhone 16e pulls ahead of the
iPhone 16, likely due to improved signal processing for sub-6 GHz
bands.
T-Mobile has stated that the iPhone 16 is
a performance leader with a whopping 92.76 Mbps lead over other phones.
This wide disparity is due to the intrinsic limitations of the
C1 modem, particularly when it is used on T-Mobile's newer
5G SA (Standalone) network, which is designed to fully leverage carrier
aggregation and utilize wider spectrum channels for improved
connectivity.
IPhone 16e Price
The iPhone 16e is the most affordable and budget-friendly gateway
into the whole iPhone 16 series of smartphones, and as such, it is
a very attractive alternative for someone willing to enter the world of
iPhones without spending a fortune. Starting at only 719€ for the model
with 128 GB of storage space, the iPhone 16e is significantly less pricey
than the regular iPhone 16, whose price is set at a higher figure more
than 200 € above. While the last generation, the iPhone 15, is still
available for sale at a price of €819, the fact remains that both the
iPhone SE, as well as the iPhone 14 models, are no longer available
for sale in the market, so the iPhone 16e stands out as a strong option
for interested buyers.
When it comes to the complex process of
making a decision, especially when you consider different details like the
design, features, and price, you might face some difficulties or
challenges in making a decision between the two models: the
iPhone 16e, which costs 719€, and the iPhone 16, which is
more expensive at €979. Our professional team has carried out extensive
and rigorous testing on both models, specifically the
iPhone 16e and the iPhone 16, and based on our detailed test
results, the second model, the iPhone 16, has emerged as the best choice
for our editorial team. This model has finally received the highly coveted
Editor's Choice award because of its superior general performance and set
of features. If you are considering the possibility of buying the iPhone
16e, we would be more than glad to give you a detailed and informative
comparison of the two phones. This comparison is meant to help you decide
which phone might best meet your individual needs and preferences,
ensuring that you make an informed choice. Price
The
iPhone 16e starts at a price of €719 and has an initial
storage capacity of 128GB. For users who need more, the 256GB variant is
offered at a price of 819€, while the larger 512GB model is given at a
price of 1,119€. The iPhone 16, on the other hand, also offers customers
the same three various storage options but at a higher price, starting at
919€ for the 128GB version, followed by 1,059€ for the 256GB variant, and
up to a total of 1,309€ for the 512GB model.
The reasons behind T-Mobile's network revealing the weaknesses of
the C1 phone are as follows:
T-Mobile's 5G SA network is a rarity in the U.S.,
constructed on a cloud-native architecture that contains features like.
Carrier Aggregation (CA): Merges several bands of frequency to
provide quicker speeds.
Network Slicing: Provides
priority to the traffic for some applications (e.g., streaming,
gaming).
Massive MIMO: Employs several antennas to boost
capacity and speed.
Qualcomm's modem in the iPhone 16 supports 6x
downlink CA and uplink MIMO, enabling it to make better use of
T-Mobile's network. The C1 modem's 3x CA and lack of uplink
aggregation put it at the back in this area.
2. Upload Speeds: Surprising Gains for AT&T and Verizon
| Carrier | iPhone 16e Median Upload | iPhone 16 Median Upload | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 14.63 Mbps | 8.60 Mbps | +70% |
| Verizon | 10.21 Mbps | 9.15 Mbps | +11.6% |
| T-Mobile | 18.34 Mbps | 17.89 Mbps | +2.5% |
The C1 modem excels at upload speeds on AT&T and
Verizon, indicating Apple focused on uplink efficiency—a content
creator and live streamer's dream. But T-Mobile's negligible
difference means the Qualcomm modem's more advanced uplink CA and
MIMO features nullify the C1's advantage.
3. A Discussion of the 10th and 90th Percentile: What Slow Connections
and Fast Connections Tell Us About Them
Bottom 10th Percentile (Representing the Slowest Observed
Speeds):
The iPhone 16e outperforms the
iPhone 16 across all carriers, but most notably
T-Mobile (57.34 Mbps vs 27.27 Mbps). That suggests the C1 modem is
better at dealing with weak signals, so it should be more consistent in
rural or high-traffic environments.
Top 90th Percentile (Fastest
Speeds):
iPhone 16 performs better, especially on T-Mobile
(889.83 Mbps vs 627.01 Mbps). This is a result of the Qualcomm modem being
able to leverage mmWave and advanced CA, which can't be offered by the
C1.
The Significance of This to Users:
Verizon's Network Problems: Could mmWave Technology Be the Puzzle Piece
That Is Missing?
In spite of Verizon's significant financial investment and enormous spending on mmWave technology, iPhone 16e users and iPhone 16 users both fall behind their AT&T and T-Mobile counterparts when it comes to median download speeds. Several important factors are to blame for this, such as:
Limited mmWave Coverage: While the iPhone 16 boasts very advanced support for mmWave, it is not sufficient to entirely make up for Verizon's detailed and missing coverage of the high-frequency communications towers.
DSS (Dynamic Spectrum Sharing) Overload: Verizon depends on DSS to split 4G LTE and 5G bandwidth, which results in congestion in urban regions.
The iPhone 16e's lack of mmWave support isn't as terrible as some had initially feared it would be—at least for now. Nevertheless, as Verizon continues to add mmWave coverage at numerous significant locations such as stadiums and high-traffic downtown areas, this present disparity may become more noticeable down the line.
Battery Life: The Remarkable and Often Overlooked Success of the C1 Modem
Apple asserts that the iPhone 16e has an amazing battery life that continues 4 hours more than the battery life of iPhone 16 on video playback. This increased staying power is accredited to:
Modem Efficiency: C1 features simplified and minimized architecture, which indeed serves the purpose of saving power while transmitting data.
Thermal Design: Having fewer components fighting over the finite amount of real estate inside the device, this situation allows for the inclusion of a much larger battery.
Real-World Impact: For commuters, remote workers, or heavy users, the 16e's endurance might balance out its inability for high-speed use.
Apple vs. Qualcomm: The Pursuit of Becoming Modem Independent
Apple's long-standing battle with Qualcomm over the cost of patent licensing fees took a dramatic turn with the purchase of Intel's modem business in 2019. While the C1 modem is an interesting and promising start for Apple's venture into this space, it is clear that the company is working towards bridging the gap left by its rivals.
| Feature | Apple C1 Modem | Qualcomm X70 (iPhone 16) |
|---|---|---|
| Downlink CA | 3x | 6x |
| Uplink CA/MIMO | No | Yes |
| mmWave Support | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
Qualcomm’s decade-long modem expertise is evident, but Apple’s
vertical integration could eventually yield modems tailored to iOS
hardware and software.
Is Buying the iPhone 16e Worth
Your While? A Realistic and Honest Guide
Select the iPhone 16e if:
You care about battery life and upload speeds.
You're on
Verizon or AT&T and don't require mmWave.
You're looking
for a less expensive 5G iPhone, priced from $699, not the iPhone 16, which
is priced from $799.
Choose the iPhone 16 If:
You're a T-Mobile subscriber or want future-proof mmWave
support.
You require the highest possible download speeds so
that you can enjoy complete gaming experiences or stream uninterrupted in
4K resolution.
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 are significant to
your smart home configuration.
