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Apple unveiled the iPhone Air with impressive features but missed out on one key component: the mmWave 5G modem found in the iPhone 16e. Instead, it boasts a new and improved C1X baseband chip that should enhance its premium status. While this chip is faster than last year’s Snapdragon X75 used in the iPhone 16 Pro, it lacks support for mmWave 5G networks, limiting it to sub-6GHz bands.
However, there’s a silver lining: Apple claims the C1X consumes 30 percent less power than its predecessor. Coupled with the N1 wireless networking chip, which is standard across the iPhone 17 lineup, this configuration could significantly improve battery life. The company states that the iPhone Air offers all-day battery life, with video playback lasting up to 27 hours—1 hour longer than the iPhone 16e.
Despite these improvements, mmWave 5G remains a feature the iPhone Air is missing. However, rumors suggest Apple is working on the C2 5G modem for future models, which could bring mmWave support to the lineup next year.
In summary, while the C1X chip doesn’t offer top-tier 5G speeds, its power efficiency and integration with the N1 chip promise better battery life.
