It looks like the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may have different modems inside. On Apple’s technical specifications page for the new devices, the iPhone 18 Pro lists Apple’s C2 modem, but the iPhone 18 Pro Max does not list any modems in the United States.
The same information is also listed in Apple’s announcement for the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Both models feature N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. iPhone 18 Pro introduces C2, Apple’s next-generation cellular modem system, which brings AI-driven improvements to cellular quality and reliability.
The lack of a C2 designation for the Pro Max may seem like a mistake at first glance, but the separate Pro and Pro Max model numbers actually list different LTE bands. On the US Pro spec list, there is a 106 band, but there is no 106 band on the Pro Max list.
It’s unclear why Apple would use different modems for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but rumors were circulating before the launch that some devices would continue to use Qualcomm modems.
Apple also uses the C2 modem for the iPhone Duo, so it’s possible there were supply issues. It appears that the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may use the C2 modem outside the US, so the breakdown could be US-only.
The C2 modem supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G, and Apple says it includes AI improvements in cellular quality and reliability. It’s faster and more power efficient than the C1X modem, but it’s not yet clear how it compares to the Qualcomm modem in the 18 Pro Max.
Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro models will go on sale on September 18 and pre-orders will take place on September 12. The iPhone 18 Pro price starts at $1,199, while the 18 Pro Max price starts at $1,299.
