A study commissioned by Qualcomm (QCOM, Financial) shows that its baseband chips outperform Apple's (AAPL) in-house C1 chip, particularly in densely populated urban areas. Tests conducted by Cellular Insights reveal that the iPhone 16e, featuring Apple's C1 chip, lags behind Android devices using Qualcomm's technology on T-Mobile's 5G network in New York City. This research highlights Qualcomm's competitive edge in mobile connectivity.
Apple has been developing the C1 chip for years to replace Qualcomm's components, aiming to vertically integrate its technology. The baseband chip is crucial for connecting to cellular networks, enabling calls and mobile data. Despite Apple's efforts, the C1 chip falls short in scenarios where next-gen baseband advantages should shine. Android devices show quantifiable improvements in 5G performance, especially for users in urban, indoor, or high-frequency upload environments.
Qualcomm's report, indirectly targeting one of its major clients, comes as Apple plans to expand its in-house baseband across all its products. Qualcomm has warned investors of potential revenue loss from Apple, but plans to offset this by exploring new business areas. Recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook praised the C1 chip's efficiency, despite the performance gaps highlighted in the study.
