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Apple’s latest flagship device, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, has been disassembled, confirming that the company continues to rely on Qualcomm for its top-tier 5G modems. The phone employs the Snapdragon X80 modem, whereas the ultra-thin iPhone Air uses Apple’s in-house C1X modem.
The Snapdragon X80 is a highly powerful chip, equipped with an integrated AI system that enhances speed, reduces latency, extends coverage, and boosts efficiency compared to its predecessor.
### Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max Teardown Confirms Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 Modem with AI-Powered 5G Performance and mmWave Support
A teardown video posted on Bilibili today confirms that the iPhone 17 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon X80 modem. While real-world tests for Apple’s C1X modem are pending, the X80 modem offers a faster 5G experience without significantly impacting battery life due to its low power consumption.
Another notable detail is that the Snapdragon X80 supports mmWave 5G, an ultra-fast version of 5G capable of exceptional performance even in crowded areas like stadiums and city centers. However, this feature is currently available only in the United States, as it has yet to be activated globally. Apple’s C1X modem, on the other hand, only supports sub-6GHz 5G, which, while providing better coverage in rural or suburban areas, cannot match mmWave’s raw speed under ideal conditions.
Apple is developing a C2 modem for next year’s iPhone 18 Pro models, which could bring support for mmWave to the company’s own hardware. This would give Apple more control over its products and reduce reliance on Qualcomm for modems. The C2 modem would also be more power-efficient, extending battery life beyond what is currently advertised.
### Conclusion
Apple is taking a cautious approach with the iPhone 17 Pro models by sticking with Qualcomm to ensure the best current 5G experience while advancing its own technology in the background. As for whether Apple will use its custom modem in the iPhone 18 Pro, opinions are mixed. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
