iPhone 18 Pro Max in the US: Now Featuring the Snapdragon X80 Modem!

The American Version of iPhone 18 Pro Max Features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 Modem

The U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max incorporates Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 modem, mirroring the choice made for last year’s iPhone 17 Pro Max. A teardown by Tech Insights revealed the modem, identified by the model number SDX80M, which is exclusively found in iPhone 17 Pro Max models distributed within the United States. Initially, there was some confusion at launch, but Apple later confirmed that iPhone models sold in other parts of the world are equipped with Apple’s own internally designed C2 modem. In the United States, the standard iPhone 18 Pro also includes the C2 modem, which supports 5G mmWave technology.

Why the Different Modems?

Apple has not publicly explained the rationale behind using different modems in its devices. It might not be a technical decision, as the C2 modem is purported to be more efficient than Qualcomm’s offering. Instead, the decision could be rooted in contractual obligations. Two years ago, Apple entered into an agreement with Qualcomm that extends until 2027, which might include terms requiring a minimum order quantity.