Apple has finally achieved a milestone in its journey to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm. This is according to data released by Ookla, a global internet speed testing organization, based on Speedtest data for the fourth quarter of 2025.Latest research reportApple's self-developed modem chip C1X, first used in the iPhone Air, has shown a generational leap in real-world network performance.
Data shows that the C1X not only completely outperforms the previous generation C1 chip used in the iPhone 16e, but also matches and even surpasses the iPhone 17 Pro Max equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 chipset in terms of download speed and network latency. This not only proves that Apple's self-developed radio frequency (RF) technology has officially entered the industry's first tier, but also lays a key foundation for its future expansion to "always-connected MacBook models".
While the outside world was initially worried that the ultra-thin design of the iPhone Air would force compromises in communication performance due to limitations in heat dissipation and antenna space, Apple proved with real-world test data that the high degree of hardware and software integration brought about by its self-developed chips is the ultimate solution for future mobile communications.
Analysis of Apple's Self-Developed Chip Portfolio: Model Distribution and Generation Differences between C1X and C1
Before delving into performance, let's clarify the current configuration of Apple's self-developed modems across its product line.
According to the report, Apple is currently adopting a transitional strategy of "parallel development of Qualcomm and in-house technologies, with tiered configuration of in-house technologies":
Qualcomm Snapdragon X80:Even the top-of-the-line iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, which emphasize ultimate performance, still rely on Qualcomm's mature communication solutions.
Apple C1X:The first model to use this high-end self-developed chip is the ultra-thin flagship iPhone Air, which replaces the Plus product line.The iPhone 17e, launched this springIt also uses this data chip.
Apple C1:Used in the entry-level iPhone 16e launched last year, it served as a touchstone for Apple's first self-developed communication chip.
Impressive Evolution! Real-world Testing of C1X vs. C1 in Three Communication Scenarios
Ookla thoroughly quantifies the significant improvements of the C1X over its predecessor, the C1 data chip, through three real-world scenarios: the top 10% (best conditions), the median (normal conditions), and the bottom 10% (extremely weak signals).
Optimal Network Environment (Top 10%): Overcoming C1 Architecture Limitations
In optimal environments with no obstructions and ample base station bandwidth, the C1 chip, due to its architectural limitations, often reaches its transmission limit earlier (unable to fully utilize the high-end 5G network bandwidth). However, the iPhone Air equipped with the C1X can easily approach Gbps-level download speeds. For example, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the C1X achieved a staggering 1832 Mbps, a remarkable 643 Mbps higher than the C1; in the United States and Saudi Arabia, it also delivered superior results of 264 Mbps and 362 Mbps, respectively.
Median daily network congestion: Mid-band 5G spectrum scheduling capabilities greatly increased
In environments with high mobility and congested networks, the C1X demonstrates better spectrum allocation capabilities than the C1. Particularly in markets heavily reliant on 5G mid-band frequencies, such as the US, China, Japan, and Sweden, the C1X's download performance is significantly superior to the C1. The difference between the two only narrows somewhat in Brazil and India, which heavily rely on low-band DSS (Dynamic Spectrum Sharing) technology.
Weak signal edge areas (bottom 10%): Saving usability from the "off-line edge"
When users are in basements or at the edge of a base station, upload speed is often the first indicator of failure (causing messages to fail to be transmitted). C1X successfully defended against this "availability cliff." In Singapore's extremely weak signal conditions, C1X's upload speed was a staggering 4.3 Mbps higher than C1's. It also maintained a lifesaver advantage of over 1.0 Mbps in China and the United States, which is often the key watershed for whether FaceTime can be successfully completed.
Outperforming the competition: The C1X outperforms the Qualcomm Snapdragon X80, winning in latency but losing in upload speed.
Besides outperforming its predecessor, the most impressive aspect of the C1X is its direct confrontation with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 data chip.
Advantages: "Ultra-low latency" performance at a god-like level.
Thanks to the tighter underlying integration between Apple's self-developed chip and processor, the iPhone Air, equipped with the C1X data chip, outperformed the iPhone 17 Pro Max, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X80, in network latency across 19 out of 22 tested markets worldwide. In a future heavily reliant on real-time cloud-based generative AI and edge computing, this millisecond advantage will make mobile phone operation smoother.
Disadvantages: Uplink carrier aggregation remains a weakness.
While download speeds have caught up, Qualcomm's deep-rooted expertise in the communications field cannot be easily surpassed. In terms of upload speeds, the Qualcomm Snapdragon X80, thanks to its mature uplink carrier aggregation technology, maintains a lead of up to 32%. This means that for "Pro-level" creators who frequently need to conduct high-definition outdoor live streams or upload extremely large cloud files, Qualcomm data chips remain the most reliable choice at present.
Market Strategy: iPhone Air successfully replaced Plus, crushing Samsung's thin and light competing models.
Returning to the product strategy, Apple's decision to replace the long-selling iPhone Plus with the iPhone Air appears to be a risky move, but it has clearly been effective.
In the US market, the initial market share of the iPhone 16 Plus was a dismal 2.9%, but after switching to the ultra-thin iPhone Air, the market share more than doubled to 6.8%. In the Asian market, which places great emphasis on appearance design, South Korea (11.2%), Japan (8.9%), and Singapore (8.4%) have become major sales hubs for the iPhone Air.
Interestingly, compared to Samsung's ultra-thin competitors launched at the same time...Galaxy Edge S25In the US market, the iPhone Air marginalized it with an overwhelming 3 to 1 advantage; in the European market, the Galaxy S25 Edge's market share was less than 1%.
From a market perspective, the biggest mistake of the Galaxy S25 Edge was its launch after the release of the flagship Galaxy S25 series. While hoping to capture more of the thin and light phone market before the official launch of the iPhone Air, it overlooked the fact that its target audience had already opted for the earlier-released Galaxy S25 series. Therefore, after the iPhone Air entered the market, it faced sales difficulties. Coupled with current memory shortages, this may further hinder Samsung's future development.We had to adjust our mobile phone product strategy.Therefore, it is unlikely that a successor to the Galaxy S25 Edge will be released, which is obviously related to...Galaxy Z TriFold tri-fold phoneThey too were reduced to "experimental products".
Analysis of viewpoints
Ookla's report is tantamount to announcing an initial victory for Apple's multi-billion dollar "self-developed modem gamble."
We can see Apple's very clever "tiered" product strategy: using the entry-level iPhone 16e to test the first-generation C1 chip; then, on the iPhone Air with its titanium frame to aid heat dissipation, the truly powerful C1X chip was unveiled for the first time, while the Pro series, which requires the ultimate upload bandwidth and multi-band compatibility, continues to be handled by Qualcomm data chips.
The C1X chip's advantage in "network latency" highlights Apple's core purpose in insisting on self-development: to control the most fundamental hardware integration. When the chip can communicate directly with Apple Silicon (A-series/M-series) without going through a third-party interface, performance loss will be minimized.
Although the C1X is still overcoming the technical hurdle of "uplink carrier aggregation", it is foreseeable that when the next-generation C2 chip completes this piece of the puzzle, Apple will not only completely kick Qualcomm out of the iPhone supply chain, but this technology is also expected to be further used in Pro-level iPhone models, and will become the most lethal core competitiveness of the rumored "plug-and-play, always-connected MacBook".
