[Digital Today intern reporter Kyungmin Hong (홍경민)] Apple is expected to equip the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models with its next-generation, in-house C2 chip instead of a Qualcomm 5G modem, significantly strengthening battery efficiency, privacy protection and network performance.

On June 9 local time, IT outlet 9to5Mac reported that Apple is moving away from the Qualcomm modem used in the current iPhone 17 Pro and expanding its own cellular modem lineup. The report said the introduction of the next-generation C2 chip is expected to maximize the benefits of vertical integration between hardware and software.

The first key advantage of an Apple-designed modem is strong battery efficiency. Apple’s C1 and C1X cellular modems have shown a sustained edge in power efficiency, and that positive trend is expected to continue with the next-generation C2 chip. Thanks to tight integration between the iOS mobile operating system and Apple silicon processors, Apple can further extend battery life in cellular use compared with devices that use Qualcomm modems.

Apple has not shared specific performance figures publicly. It has previously cited its in-house modem as a factor behind longer battery life in the iPhone 16e, iPhone Air and the M5 processor-based iPad Pro. The iPhone 18 Pro models are also expected to carry a higher-capacity battery than the iPhone 17 Pro, and the new C2 chip’s power optimization could add to gains in real-world usage time.

A second advantage is full support for a privacy feature called “precise location restriction” that strengthens security. Earlier this year, Apple officially added a new security setting to iOS that runs exclusively on devices equipped with its in-house modem. The setting helps prevent a user’s real-time location information from being exposed to carriers in more detail than necessary and helps protect privacy more securely.

According to official documentation, devices currently supporting the security feature are limited to a small lineup with Apple’s in-house modem, including the iPhone Air, iPhone 17e, iPhone 16e and the M5 iPad Pro. The iPhone 18 Pro series, expected to adopt the proprietary C2 modem, is also set to be added to the list, allowing users to benefit from enhanced personal data protection.

The final advantage is improved network processing performance in shadow zones where data access is not smooth or signals are unstable. Apple-designed modems such as the upcoming C2 chip focus on providing a more stable connection even in environments with weak base-station coverage.

Behind the performance improvement is a design that links the modem and the main processor. According to an explanation Apple provided through Reuters, when an iPhone is in a congested data network environment, the main processor inside the smartphone relays in real time to the modem which data traffic is most time-sensitive and important. Based on that, the modem prioritizes that data over general traffic to minimize transmission delays.

Users can feel the iPhone responding faster even when network congestion occurs, and can reduce inconvenience caused by data delays. The network optimization is possible because Apple’s A-series processors and C-series modems work closely together, and is seen as a differentiating factor created by Apple’s vertical integration strategy of designing hardware and communications chips in-house.

Ultimately, the emergence of the next-generation C2 chip is expected to go beyond a simple component change, leading to improvements in battery efficiency, security and network performance. The industry is watching whether Apple can widen the gap with rivals based on high integration among its in-house chips and expand its influence in the next-generation flagship market.