iPhone 18 Pro could get next-gen N2 chip, pushing an exciting trend

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to feature both a next-gen C2 modem and N2 wireless chip, continuing the company's trend of in-house silicon innovation that's already delivered surprising benefits in battery life and performance.

Apple about to test iPhone 18 production ready for new split-launch plan | Render shown

Apple's silicon expansion beyond processors

Not long ago, the phrase 'Apple silicon' referred exclusively to the main processor in products like the iPhone, Mac, or iPad. For example, the A19 chip in iPhone 17 and M5 in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. But as of last year, Apple's silicon teams now make 5G modems and wireless chips in-house too.

These may sound like fairly boring iPhone components, but Apple's offerings so far have been more exciting than you might think. When the C1 modem debuted in iPhone 16e, it came with unexpected advantages:

Improvements to battery life
Better performance in congested data spots

C1 offers the basics of 5G data and other cellular connectivity essentials, but with extra Apple perks. The follow-up C1X launched later in the year with iPhone Air and the M5 iPad Pro, and it pushed the chip even further. C1X offered speeds up to twice as fast as the C1.

Also last fall, Apple debuted its N1 wireless chip. N1 combines Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Nothing exciting there. Except, like with C1, there was more to the story. Apple says that N1 "improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop." It also comes with battery gains for a variety of reasons explained here.

N2 and C2 coming to iPhone 18 Pro

Analyst Jeff Pu, in a research note seen by 9to5Mac, says Apple will have two new chips ready to launch this fall. Per Pu, the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro will have a next-gen N2 chip and C2 modem.

Prior reporting has outlined what's coming with C2, such as the expected addition of mmWave 5G support. While there are no specific details on what's changing with N2, I have no doubt Apple will make meaningful improvements. The Apple silicon team has been able to build surprise benefits and improvements into its C-class modems already in such a short time.

This week's new iOS 26.3 privacy feature is the latest evidence. All of this makes me excited to see what Apple has planned for N2. Taking greater control of the iPhone's tech stack is clearly providing greater opportunities for new features and improvements.

iPhone 18 Pro could get next-gen N2 chip, pushing an exciting trend - 9to5Mac

The bigger picture of Apple's silicon strategy

The expansion of Apple silicon beyond traditional processors represents a fundamental shift in how Apple approaches hardware design. By bringing more components in-house, Apple gains tighter integration between hardware and software, enabling optimizations that wouldn't be possible with third-party components.

This strategy has already paid dividends. The C1 modem's battery life improvements weren't just incremental gains—they represented meaningful real-world benefits that users could feel throughout their day. Similarly, the N1's enhancements to Personal Hotspot and AirDrop reliability address pain points that many iPhone users have experienced.

What's particularly interesting about this trend is how Apple is finding ways to differentiate components that might otherwise be considered commodity parts. A 5G modem or wireless chip might seem like something where all manufacturers would offer similar performance, but Apple is proving that there's room for innovation even in these areas.

What to expect from N2 and C2

While specific details about the N2 chip remain scarce, we can make some educated guesses based on Apple's track record. The N2 will likely build on the N1's foundation, potentially offering:

Enhanced Wi-Fi 7 capabilities with better range and throughput
Improved Bluetooth performance for accessories and connectivity
More efficient power management for extended battery life
Better integration with Apple's ecosystem features

For the C2 modem, the addition of mmWave 5G support is significant. While mmWave offers extremely fast speeds, it's also challenging to implement due to its limited range and difficulty penetrating obstacles. Apple's silicon team will need to solve these technical challenges while maintaining the battery life and performance advantages that made the C1 successful.

The competitive advantage

Apple's approach to silicon development gives it a significant competitive advantage. While other smartphone manufacturers rely on Qualcomm or other third-party modem providers, Apple is building custom solutions optimized specifically for its devices and software.

This vertical integration allows Apple to make trade-offs that benefit the overall user experience rather than optimizing for specific technical metrics. For example, the C1's battery life improvements likely came from architectural decisions that might not have been possible if Apple were constrained by compatibility requirements with other manufacturers' designs.

As Apple continues to expand its silicon capabilities, we can expect to see more of these kinds of optimizations that enhance the overall iPhone experience in ways that might not be immediately obvious but make a real difference in daily use.

What do you expect from Apple's N2 and C2 in the iPhone 18 Pro? Let us know in the comments.

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