New Apple radio chips: What N1 and C1X should be able to

Not only interesting for chip-nerds: Apple takes another step towards technical autonomy with the iPhone-17 generation and iPhone Air. For the first time, Apple’s own local radio chip is installed in all four new models. The so-called N1-the “N” should be for “Network”, ie network-combines three wireless standards and also complements a new Apple mobile radio chip called C1X in the iPhone Air. To bring both areas together and then integrate it into the SOC with the processor, as Apple obviously plans in the long term, the group has not yet succeeded.

A chip, three radio standards

The N1 is integrated in the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. After previously known information, it combines Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and thread-the latter is a near-area radio that is used primarily in the smart home area with a matter and homekit. Ultra broadband radio (UWB), on the other hand, is not covered, which is used, among other things, for the more precise places of devices. The necessary second generation chip (alias U2) is discreetly installed.

At Bluetooth, Apple puts a shovel on it – older iPhones dominated only version 5.3. Among other things, Bluetooth 6 promises improvements in fully occupied radio spectra, less latency and faster sleeping and wake cycles, which should save battery. There are also improvements in music streaming, for example at spatial audio. After all, there is optimized support for Bluetooth hearing aids-what that means remains to be seen. Wi-Fi 7 in turn already existed in earlier iPhones. The new Apple chip is said to ensure lower electricity consumption here. Here, too, tests have to show how well it all works. The N1 replaces chips from providers such as Broadcom.

Upgrade for Apple’s mobile phone modem

Apple’s mobile phone modem got a smaller upgrade. Generation C1 from the iPhone 16E is replaced by the C1X in the iPhone Air – and only there. Supposedly this is “up to twice as fast” as the C1, which ultimately only means that existing 5G technology is better used. This also has to do with the mobile phone provider.

According to reports, the C1X should also be faster than the Qualcomm chips built into the iPhone 16 Pro, from which Apple has long wanted to go. The energy consumption was also reduced, according to Apple by 30 percent. No iPhone modem should run more efficiently. The C1X does not support the MMWAVE 5G, which is again faster. Technology is currently not offered in Europe in iPhones.