Rumors suggest that Apple is considering expanding Apple-designed modems across the entire iPhone 18 lineup, effectively ending support for Qualcomm modems. The transition will bring improvements in speed and efficiency, as well as a little-known privacy benefit.
In iOS 26.3, Apple added a Limit Precise Location setting that reduces the amount of location data available on mobile networks, improving user privacy.
Mobile networks determine your location using information from the cell towers a device connects to, but when Limit Precise Location is enabled, some of the data typically provided to mobile networks is restricted. Instead of knowing location down to a street address, operators can be limited to the neighborhood where a device is located.
The problem is that this feature is currently only available on devices with an Apple-designed C1 or C1X modem, which includes the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17e, and iPad Pro M5. Devices equipped with Qualcomm modems like the iPhone 17 Pro models do not have the Limit Precise Location setting.
Given that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold models are expected to use Apple’s modem technology, this is likely a privacy option that should extend across the entire iPhone lineup.
Reducing location accuracy does not impact signal quality or user experience, nor does it impact the accuracy of location data provided to emergency responders during an emergency call. It only aims to limit location data provided to mobile operators and is distinct from location data shared with apps via location services.
Even though Apple’s next iPhones will likely all come with the new privacy feature, carriers need to implement support. So far, a limited number of carriers have added this feature, but if it expands to the entire iPhone lineup and there is customer demand, it could be adopted more widely.
In the US, only Boost Mobile supports limiting precise location data, but EE, BT and Sky all support it in the UK. Carriers in Austria, Germany, Denmark, Ireland and Thailand have also adopted support, with a list available on Apple’s website.
The C2 modem that Apple is reportedly working on is more capable than the C1 or C1X, and it will offer similar performance to Qualcomm’s newer modems. It should support mmWave 5G, which is not a feature of the C1 or C1X.