Apple's New iPads Launch Without Custom C1 Modem

The latest iPads rely on Qualcomm modems as Apple continues its transition to in-house modem technology.

Apple's newly announced iPad Air and 11th-generation entry-level iPad do not feature the company's custom-designed C1 modem, instead using Qualcomm modems for cellular connectivity.
The C1 modem, introduced last month in the iPhone 16e, is Apple's first in-house modem and is praised for its power efficiency but lacks support for mmWave 5G technology.
Apple's agreement with Qualcomm runs through 2027, allowing a gradual transition to its own modems, with future iterations like the C2 and C3 reportedly in development.
Qualcomm unveiled its X85 modem at the Mobile World Conference, claiming superior performance over Apple's C1, including AI-driven enhancements and support for mmWave 5G.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts the C1 modem will also feature in the rumored iPhone 17 Air, expected to launch later this year.