Study Reveals Performance Gap Between Apple's C1 Modem iPhones and Qualcomm's Snapdragon Alternatives
A study commissioned by Qualcomm Technologies has revealed significant performance disparities between Apple's C1 modem iPhones and Qualcomm's Snapdragon alternatives. The Cellular Insights study, published in September 2017, highlighted substantial differences in RF performance, including signal stability and speed test results.
The study compared two variants of iPhone models: those with Intel modems (C1) and those with Qualcomm modems (Snapdragon X12). It found that iPhones equipped with Qualcomm modems demonstrated superior reception quality and faster speed test results compared to their Intel-powered counterparts. The study was released on 20 September 2017, with many tech outlets, such as The Verge and Ars Technica, reporting on the findings. Apple had begun using modems from both Intel and Qualcomm in parallel, leading to varied mobile performance in otherwise identical devices.
The study attributes these differences to carrier aggregation capabilities, with Android devices supporting more advanced aggregation than the iPhone 16e. It also revealed a network-imposed throughput ceiling of approximately 2.5 Gbps, suggesting that real-world 5G performance is often constrained by infrastructure rather than device capabilities. However, the study's methodology has limitations, such as testing asymmetry between platforms and extreme testing conditions that may not reflect real-world use.
The study, commissioned by Qualcomm Technologies, raised concerns about potential bias. It claimed Android devices achieved 81.4% to 91.0% faster upload speeds and 34.3% to 35.2% faster download speeds compared to the iPhone 16e. The study's release timing coincides with Apple's modem transition period, raising questions about its strategic motivations. Despite these considerations, the study provides valuable insights into the performance disparities between Apple's C1 modem iPhones and Qualcomm's Snapdragon alternatives.
