Multiple reports based on leaked documents tied to a cyberattack on Apple supplier Tata Electronics say the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will use different modem chips depending on where they are sold. The leaks indicate that U.S. models will continue using Qualcomm modems, while international models will use Apple’s in-house C2 modem. The information points to a “complicated modem situation” rather than a single global component choice.
The reports trace the findings to schematics and bills of materials reportedly included in more than 630GB of data stolen by a ransomware group dubbed “World Leaks,” with analyses conducted by outlets including MacRumors and AppleInsider. According to the documents cited, Qualcomm components in the U.S. variant appear to support mmWave 5G, a network feature commonly associated with U.S. carriers such as Verizon. In contrast, the Apple C2 modem is described as lacking mmWave capability, which the reports say could explain why Apple keeps Qualcomm for the U.S. while using C2 elsewhere.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 lineup in September, with the iPhone 18 Pro models anticipated to launch in the fall.
