Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, the C1, is already showing impressive performance in India, with download speeds coming close to Qualcomm’s top-tier chipsets. The C1 made its debut earlier this year with the iPhone 16e.
Data from Ookla’s Q2–Q3 2025 Speedtest Intelligence report reveals that the iPhone 16e delivered an average 5G download speed of 213.26 Mbps on Jio’s network—just below Qualcomm’s 225.54 Mbps benchmark.
The study compared the iPhone 16e, equipped with Apple’s C1 modem, against the iPhone 16, which still relies on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon modem. This direct comparison offers the clearest indication yet of how Apple’s custom modem measures up to Qualcomm’s long-dominant technology.
The performance gap becomes even narrower across other networks. On Airtel 5G, Apple’s C1 modem achieved 182.29 Mbps—nearly identical to Qualcomm’s 183.28 Mbps. Similarly, on Vi’s network, the C1 clocked 110.87 Mbps compared to Qualcomm’s 112.13 Mbps.
While Qualcomm still edges ahead at the upper limit of speeds, the margin is minimal. More importantly, Ookla’s report underlines the C1 modem’s consistency and reliability across different conditions.
Interestingly, at the lower end of the performance spectrum, Apple’s C1 often delivered steadier results. For users in densely populated urban regions, this translates to a more dependable 5G experience on the iPhone 16e.
Outside of India, Japan has emerged as the top market for the iPhone 16e, while Qualcomm-powered models like the iPhone 16 continue to lead in peak speeds in the U.S.
Ookla’s worldwide analysis covering 21 regions shows that Apple’s C1 modem performs strongly in real-world usage and frequently exceeds Qualcomm when it comes to upload speeds. With further development, upcoming versions of the C1 could potentially rival—or even outperform—Qualcomm’s overall performance.
India’s 5G landscape is expanding quickly, with Reliance Jio and Airtel leading the rollout. Apple’s C1 modem enhances the fast and reliable 5G experience for users on Jio’s network, which boasts average speeds exceeding 200 Mbps.
