Qualcomm Unveils X85 5G Modem, Claims Superiority Over Apple’s In-House C1 Chip

Qualcomm's Response to Apple's In-House Modem

In March 2025, Qualcomm unveiled its new X85 5G modem at Mobile World Congress, boasting peak speeds of 12.5 Gbps up and 3.7 Gbps down, along with a new '5G AI processor' that claims to improve signal performance by 30%. CEO Cristiano Amon said this technology will create a significant performance gap between premium Android devices and iOS devices, emphasizing Qualcomm's continued relevance in the age of AI.

Apple is set to transition its entire iPhone lineup to in-house modems starting with the iPhone 16e, which features the C1 modem. Early reviews indicate that the C1 is power-efficient and comparable to Qualcomm’s modem in the iPhone 16. Apple plans to roll out its own modems across all models by next year, including the iPhone 18 lineup.

Despite this, Amon remains confident, stating that consumer preference for the best possible modem will ensure Qualcomm's place in the market.