A few months following the launch of the iPhone 16e equipped with Apple’s inaugural 5G modem, the C1 chip, Qualcomm undertook an independent analysis that indicated, unsurprisingly, that its chips surpass Apple’s in nearly every situation.
Although this isn’t the first instance of Qualcomm making such a statement, it serves to reassure investors that its business remains robust and that iPhone users may miss out on vital features with Apple’s approach.
Some key points from the report are highlighted below:
– **Consistent Performance Gap:** Qualcomm-powered Android devices exhibited download speeds that were 34.3% to 35.2% quicker and upload speeds that were 81.4% to 91.0% faster than the iPhone 16e.
– **Real-world User Experience Impact:** Qualcomm chips prove to have more efficient spectrum use and superior performance.
– **Thermal Management Issues:** The iPhone 16e encounters several thermal management challenges under heavy load, which can occasionally reduce the performance disparity under optimal near-cell conditions.
– **Better Features:** Android devices utilizing Qualcomm chips were equipped with sub-6 GHz and other 5G capabilities that were not present in the initial generation of Apple’s 5G chip.
Nonetheless, Apple recognizes that its chip cannot match the prowess of those found in an iPhone 16 Pro, for instance. This is why speculations suggest that the company is not employing a variant of the C1 chip for the iPhone 17 series (with the exception of the Air model), opting instead for MediaTek’s solutions.
Despite this, Apple remains optimistic that a C2 chip could drive the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. While Qualcomm’s chips may likely outperform those of Apple, the company is focusing on other enhancements, such as improved battery performance and management, along with upgraded connectivity features related to AirDrop and Bluetooth.
With this perspective, Apple aspires for a scenario reminiscent of the M1, where its former partner can outpace its processor in certain cases, but the advantages for users are more substantial than simply having a marginally faster device or slightly improved download speeds.
Should Apple manage to shift to its own connectivity chips, Qualcomm could face a considerable loss in revenue.
