Modem error: C1X in iPhone Air spits out hardware warning
No more reception – and information in Apple's diagnostic menu: Isolated problems with Apple's new modem chip are occurring.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch / heise medien)
Following reports of problems with Apple modem chips in the Deutsche Telekom network, there are now isolated indications of malfunctions with the C1X from the iPhone Air. How widespread these are remains unclear – nevertheless, corresponding posts on Reddit caused a stir in US tech blogs on Thursday .
So far, Apple's fastest modem chip
The iPhone Air contains Apple's latest modem chip, the further development of the C1 from the iPhone 16e. According to Apple, the C1X offers twice the 5G throughput with a compatible counterpart. The modem chip is also used in the iPad Pro M5. An affected Reddit user reports that his C1X "suddenly died". When he woke up in the morning, there was no mobile reception. Then he checked the network settings. There he found a diagnostic report. It stated that the iPhone had detected a problem that could "affect your mobile reception." As a further step, one should use the Apple Support app for further troubleshooting.
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Another user in the same thread reports similar problems with the same diagnostic message. However, the modem chip is said to have recovered later. For the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, Apple still uses Qualcomm mobile technology. For the iPhone Air, which worldwide no longer has a physical SIM card slot, Apple incorporated the C1X. The debut model with an Apple mobile chip was the iPhone 16e. An Apple C chip is also likely to be used in the soon-to-be-expected successor iPhone 17e.
Long work on own modem
Affected users of the modem error should – after performing the diagnosis in the Apple Support app – best contact Apple Support directly. The devices are all still within the warranty period, so Apple must replace or repair them. The company had worked for many years on its own modem chip after the old Intel mobile communications site in Munich was taken over. The technology is considered extremely complex. Own 5G chips are intended to make Apple independent of suppliers. The dream is also to integrate 5G, WLAN, and Bluetooth into one chip, thus giving MacBooks finally 5G reception, for example.
Most recently, users of certain iPhones and Apple Watch models complained about reception difficulties in the Deutsche Telekom network. According to the carrier, the reason was internal adjustments to the 5G infrastructure, which affected Red Cap (Apple Watch) and 5G+ gaming, among other things, but could also interfere with overall reception. However, Telekom claimed that the problem occurred with all compatible models, not just with Apple modem chips.
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