Apple today unveiled new iPhone 18 Pro models and the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, and said the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo feature Apple’s new custom-designed C2 modem for 5G connectivity. However, Apple’s press release and technical specifications suggest the C2 is limited to the smaller iPhone 18 Pro, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max apparently using Qualcomm modems.
Apple says the C2 brings AI-powered improvements to cellular quality and reliability and now supports mmWave in the U.S. The company claims the C2 delivers meaningfully faster uploads compared to the C1X while consuming 15 percent less energy.
C2 modem
Apple’s U.S. specifications list mmWave bands n258, n260 and n261 alongside sub-6GHz 5G with 4×4 MIMO, while the UK specifications list sub-6GHz only. The reason for the apparent distinction between the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max is not specified in Apple’s materials.
Both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max include the N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread support.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are offered in burgundy, glacier, silver and black, with prices starting at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively. Both models come in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage options and will be available to order on September 12.
The iPhone Duo is available in star white and night sky, starts at $1,999, and is offered in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo begin on Friday, October 16, with availability starting Friday, October 23.
Update: This article originally stated that all three models include the C2 modem, but it appears the iPhone 18 Pro Max does not.
