No, the latest iPads from Apple do not feature the most recent modem — but that’s fine.
Fionna Agomuoh / Digital Trends
Apple introduced its custom C1 modem less than a month ago, featuring it in the iPhone 16e, and called it the "most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone." This technology allows the 16e to achieve the longest battery life among all 6.1-inch iPhones; however, the newly announced iPads from Apple this week will not benefit from this advancement. After noticing questionable specifications on the new iPads, John Gruber reached out to an Apple representative, who confirmed that these devices do not utilize the C1 modem. This is not entirely surprising, as Mark Gurman from Bloomberg had mentioned in December that Apple was planning a "three-year rollout" for these modems, indicating that not every product would immediately adopt the new technology. Nonetheless, Gurman suggested that "lower-end" iPads would use the C1 in 2025, which now seems to be incorrect.
Apple's C1 modem aims to lessen the company's dependence on Qualcomm modems, though it is still uncertain if Apple's initial effort can compete with Qualcomm in terms of quality. While Apple made strong claims about power efficiency with the iPhone 16e, Gurman has indicated that we might not see the C1 in any "higher-end" devices for some time, implying that further enhancements are needed.
So, what implications does this have for the new iPads? They may not match the iPhone 16e in power efficiency, but Qualcomm modems have been effectively powering Apple products until now, so there likely won’t be any adverse effects. In a recent post on X, Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned that Apple is also developing an updated version of the C1 set for mass production next year. He stated that the company aims to enhance power consumption, transmission speed, and support for mmWave.
Apple's C1 modem process technology includes:
– Baseband: 4/5nm (both technologies are comparable)
– Low-frequency/Sub-6 TRx (Transceivers): 7nm
– Intermediate Frequency (IF) TRx: 7nm
– PMIC: 55nm
The refreshed version of the C1 is being developed for mass production next year, with improvements planned...
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 6, 2025
Willow Roberts has spent a year as a Computing Writer at Digital Trends and has been writing for nearly a decade.
New M4 iPad Air likely launching this week
We may be just a few days away from the unveiling of the first new iPad of 2025. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, an M4 iPad Air could be announced this week. This new model is expected to debut less than a year after the M2 iPad Air was released (in 2024). The tablet has been highly anticipated, but details remain sparse, aside from its expected chipset.
The M4 chip, which is also expected to feature in a new MacBook Air that could launch this week, was first introduced in the iPad Pro (2024). Since then, the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips have been included in last year’s MacBook Pro.
Apple states iPhone 16e users don’t care about MagSafe — they’re probably correct
The iPhone 16e is launching today, and initial reviews are emerging online. One noteworthy review comes from John Gruber at Daring Fireball. In his extensive review, he shares insights from Apple officials on why the company chose not to include MagSafe for wireless charging in the iPhone 16e. The reason appears to be on point and is not solely about cost-cutting.
As previously mentioned, Apple’s latest budget phone shares numerous features with the iPhone 16, but it is priced $200 less. Consequently, some features available in the iPhone 16 are missing from the iPhone 16e, with MagSafe being one of those omissions.
Apple may finally acknowledge that 8GB isn't sufficient RAM for an iPhone
At present, 8GB of RAM serves as the baseline for Apple devices (the minimum necessary for running Apple Intelligence). Multiple insiders have suggested that the iPhone 17 Pro might see an increase in RAM up to 12GB, and now Jeff Pu of GFHK Tech Research has joined the conversation, indicating that this is likely.
In recent generations, each new iPhone series has witnessed upgrades to their internal specifications. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max both featured 8GB of RAM compared to the 6GB in their non-Pro counterparts, while the complete iPhone 16 lineup includes 8GB. A potential move to 12GB for the iPhone 17 Pro suggests it could support yet-to-be-announced Apple Intelligence features and future-proof the device.
Other articles
Rick Hoffman will return to portray Louis Litt in Suits LA.
Suits LA is set to be revitalized as Rick Hoffman returns to reprise his role as Louis from the original Suits series.
Apple's foldable iPhone could bring a surprising price tag.
Do you believe Samsung's foldable phones are overly priced? An industry analyst suggests that the anticipated foldable iPhone could come with an even higher cost for fans.
Google AI will transform your fashion concepts into actual samples for purchase.
Looking for “a leather jacket featuring white buttons and an off-shoulder eagle design?” Google's AI can create a visual example and locate a similar jacket in actual stores.
AMD's forthcoming 9950X3D could unexpectedly come with a high launch price.
With the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D launching in just a few days, early price leaks have emerged, and the outlook isn't promising.
How to view the initial SpaceX crew launch since September
SpaceX is set to launch four astronauts to the space station in its first crewed mission since September of the previous year.
A leak about a foldable iPhone suggests an impressive device that makes the wait worthwhile.
Apple could potentially reach the top with its foldable phone, which features a sleek titanium alloy body, a high-density battery, and a display without creases.
No, the latest iPads from Apple do not feature the most recent modem — but that’s fine.
It seems that the newest iPads do not feature Apple's new custom C1 modem, contrary to previous rumors implying they would.