It is reported that the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be outfitted with a Qualcomm modem, whereas the same model in regions outside the United States will be equipped with a C2 modem. This distinction is not clearly elaborated upon on the U.S. Apple website, and Apple has yet to offer any clarification on the matter. MacRumors posits that this could be tied to the agreement struck between Apple and Qualcomm in 2023, with Apple possibly opting for this move to meet the agreement's requirements to the bare minimum. Apple's C2 modem boasts support for millimeter-wave 5G, marking an enhancement over the C1 and C1X models. In contrast, Qualcomm modems have incorporated this technology for quite some time. At present, it remains uncertain which specific Qualcomm modem model will be utilized in the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, though the X85 is considered the most probable option. More in-depth insights into the performance disparities between the two modems will become available once the model is officially launched for sale.
