Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17e are set to debut with the company’s own custom 5G modem, marking another step toward wireless independence. 
According to leaked code, both models will integrate an in-house baseband chip, but the exact version remains a mystery-whether Apple sticks with the current C1 from the iPhone 16e or upgrades to the new C2.
The C1 was Apple’s first fully custom 5G modem, the result of years of engineering hurdles. While it performs well for sub-6GHz networks, it lacks mmWave support, giving Qualcomm’s Snapdragon modems the edge for top-tier speed. Reports suggest Apple has been developing the C2, which would close that gap by adding mmWave compatibility, but no one- not even seasoned insiders like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman-can confirm if it will be ready in time.
Leaked details point to the iPhone 17 Air launching later this year and the iPhone 17e arriving in 2026, both with Apple’s custom modem, while the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup may still rely on Qualcomm hardware. If rumors hold, the iPhone 17 Air could be Apple’s first phone to pack two in-house wireless chips-5G and Wi-Fi-bringing more integration under its control.
Industry speculation leans toward the 17 Air using the C1 due to production timelines, with the C2 possibly debuting in the 17e. But given Apple’s secretive nature, final confirmation may only come on stage during the rumored September 9 announcement. Until then, the question of C1 versus C2 remains one of the biggest unknowns for Apple’s 2025 smartphone lineup.