All iPhones released in 2027 will most likely be equipped with Apple’s own cellular modems, bringing Qualcomm’s final presence in the lineup to an end. This will mark the completion of Apple’s multibillion-dollar, roughly eight-year effort to develop its own modem chips, according to the Power On newsletter.

The Last Holdout

The U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the only model that still uses a Qualcomm modem — the Snapdragon X80 — according to a TechInsights teardown. All other current iPhone models, including the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo, are already equipped with Apple’s second-generation C2 modem worldwide. According to Gurman, the exception for the Pro Max is due to development delays and contractual obligations that left Qualcomm hardware in certain models this cycle.

Outside the United States, even the iPhone 18 Pro Max runs on the C2 modem. Apple says the C2 now supports mmWave 5G in the U.S. — the ultra-fast, short-range standard used in stadiums and densely populated city blocks — while consuming 15% less power than its predecessor.

A Patent Deal, Not a Chip Deal

The timing is notable. On September 24, Qualcomm announced the renewal of its global patent licensing agreement with Apple, which takes effect on April 1, 2027. The agreement covers royalties for cellular patents essential to the 5G standard, not modem supply — a distinction MacRumors and other outlets specifically highlighted.

According to Reuters, the deal includes an option for another two-year extension, potentially covering the period through March 31, 2029; however, neither company disclosed the agreement’s duration or financial terms. “We are pleased to extend our license agreement with Apple,” said John Han, senior vice president and general manager of Qualcomm Technology Licensing, in the company’s press release.

Gurman views the extension as a signal that Qualcomm believes Apple’s modems make use of some of its patented technologies, and that both companies preferred a license over another court battle. In 2019, the two sides settled a prolonged legal dispute over royalties.

What It Means for Buyers

For owners of U.S. Pro Max models, the 2027 transition should bring a modest improvement in battery capacity while retaining mmWave support, based on the C2 chip’s performance data.

Ookla’s analysis for the fourth quarter of 2025 found that the C1X matched the Qualcomm X80 in download speeds and outperformed it in latency in 19 of 22 markets, although the X80 maintained up to a 32% lead in upload speeds. Whether Apple’s next modem can close that gap will be the key metric to watch in 2027 reviews.