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iPhone 16 Outperforms iPhone 16e With Apple’s C1 Modem in Median Download Speeds: Report

iPhone 16 Outperforms iPhone 16e With Apple’s C1 Modem in Median Download Speeds: Report

The iPhone 16e reportedly outperformed Apple's more expensive model in certain markets.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 8 September 2025 15:47 IST

iPhone 16 Outperforms iPhone 16e With Apple’s C1 Modem in Median Download Speeds: Report

The iPhone 16e (pictured) is the most affordable non-flagship iPhone in Apple's lineup

Highlights

iPhone 16 outperformed iPhone 16e in 12 of 21 markets on median downloads
Saudi Arabia showed the widest gap in download speeds
iPhone 16e showed stronger reliability in low-band coverage

Apple's iPhone 16e, introduced in February, marked a significant shift in the company's hardware strategy. It is the first iPhone that uses a proprietary cellular modem, instead of relying on Qualcomm's chip. Much has been said about the C1 modem on the iPhone 16e since its introduction, with reports and surveys claiming it to be slower than its Qualcomm counterpart. A recent report compared the performance of the C1 modem on the iPhone 16e against the Qualcomm one on the iPhone 16, and both handsets outperformed each other on different metrics.

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Modems Compared

A report analysed the performance of the iPhone 16e against the iPhone 16 on 5G across a range of markets, based on Ookla's Speedtest Intelligence data from Q2–Q3 2025. The iPhone 16 outperformed the iPhone 16e in 12 out of 21 advanced 5G markets when it comes to median download speeds. These included China, India, Saudi Arabia, and the US.

iPhone 16 (green) vs iPhone 16e (orange): Median download speeds compared
Photo Credit: Ookla

The largest difference between the median download speeds of both handsets was observed in Saudi Arabia, with the iPhone 16 delivering 353.49Mbps vs 295.01Mbps on the iPhone 16e. Meanwhile, the

Canada was one example where the iPhone 16e outshone its flagship counterpart, with a reported median download speed of 23.91Mbps, compared to 11.57Mbps on the iPhone 16.

The report stated that the iPhone 16 performs better on more capable networks that are based on 5G standalone (SA) technology, having support for uplink MIMO technology and higher carrier aggregation combinations. Due to technical limitations of the iPhone 16e, the handset is not able to match the performance of its flagship counterpart.

In the US, T-Mobile users reportedly experienced better network performance on the iPhone 16 compared to the iPhone 16e. This is said to be due to the flagship iPhone supporting four-carrier aggregation, as opposed to the three-carrier aggregation on the iPhone 16e. On T-Mobile's network, the median download speeds were reported to be 317.64Mbps and 252.80Mbps for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e, respectively.

However, there are some metrics on which the iPhone 16e delivered a strong performance. It recorded better 10th percentile download speeds; however, it is said to be due to users being connected solely to the low-band spectrum (sub-GHz). The report indicates that the iPhone 16e's C1 modem may be better optimised for continuity and reliability, being able to achieve a higher throughput in a case where there is marginal coverage.

The report further added that the iPhone 16e outperformed the iPhone 16 in certain markets was not due to its own accord, but because of the network bottlenecks faced by Qualcomm's chip. The analysts expect the performance to improve over time, as the carrier aggregation on 5G SA networks reaches higher levels.

Meanwhile, Gadgets 360 staff did not notice any real-world differences when using the iPhone 16e on Jio's 5G network in Mumbai. We did not face any connectivity issues, and it performed as expected, at par with the other iPhone models.

Apple iPhone 16e

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Light and compact design
Powerful Apple A18 SoC
Customisable Action Button
Good battery life

Bad
Low light camera performance is below average
Available in just two basic finishes
Large display notch with thick borders
60Hz refresh rate display
Slow wireless and wired charging

Read detailed Apple iPhone 16e review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A18

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1170x2532 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 16

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A18

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: Iphone 16, iPhone 16e, C1 Modem, Apple C1 Modem, Apple

Shaurya Tomer

Email Shaurya Tomer

Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More