Apple’s iPhone 16e, introduced in February 2025, represents a notable shift in the company’s hardware strategy. Unlike previous models that relied on Qualcomm modems, the iPhone 16e is the first iPhone to feature Apple’s proprietary C1 modem. Since its launch, the new modem has sparked discussions about performance, with early reports suggesting it may lag behind Qualcomm’s chip. A recent analysis provides a clearer picture, comparing the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem against the iPhone 16’s Qualcomm modem across multiple 5G markets.
Performance Comparison Across Markets
According to data from Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence for Q2–Q3 2025, both devices showed strengths in different scenarios. In 12 out of 21 advanced 5G markets, including China, India, Saudi Arabia, and the US, the iPhone 16 outperformed the iPhone 16e in median download speeds. The largest gap was seen in Saudi Arabia, where the iPhone 16 delivered 353.49Mbps, compared to 295.01Mbps on the iPhone 16e.
Conversely, the iPhone 16e outperformed its flagship counterpart in certain regions. In Canada, for example, the iPhone 16e recorded a median download speed of 23.91Mbps, nearly double that of the iPhone 16 at 11.57Mbps. Analysts attribute this to network conditions rather than the inherent superiority of Apple’s C1 modem.
Technical Insights
The report highlights that the iPhone 16 excels on 5G standalone (SA) networks, benefiting from uplink MIMO and higher carrier aggregation combinations. In the US, T-Mobile users experienced faster median speeds on the iPhone 16 (317.64Mbps) compared to the iPhone 16e (252.80Mbps), largely due to the flagship supporting four-carrier aggregation, versus three on the iPhone 16e.
On the other hand, the iPhone 16e demonstrated strong 10th percentile download speeds, particularly when connected to low-band spectrum (sub-GHz). This suggests the C1 modem is better optimised for continuity and reliability, maintaining higher throughput in marginal coverage areas.
Real-World Experience
In practical usage, the differences were less noticeable. Users in Mumbai on Jio’s 5G network reported no connectivity issues, with the iPhone 16e performing on par with other iPhone models. Analysts also predict that as carrier aggregation on 5G SA networks improves, the iPhone 16e’s performance will likely get closer to its flagship sibling.
Apple’s iPhone 16e marks an important step in the company’s journey toward proprietary hardware. While it may lag behind the iPhone 16 in certain high-performance scenarios, its reliability, continuity, and optimised low-band performance make it a viable alternative for users seeking consistent 5G connectivity.
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