Qualcomm RF modem technology remains ahead of Apple’s C1X, the company said, criticising Ookla research that suggested the two chips are approaching comparable performance levels.
A Qualcomm representative told Mobile World Live that the Ookla study lacks methodological clarity. The representative said the research fails to account for performance metrics beyond data rates and latency.
Older Modem Used in Comparison, Qualcomm Says
The Qualcomm X80 modem used in the Ookla comparison is “from two generations ago,” the representative stated. Hundreds of devices globally now run Qualcomm’s X85 Modem-RF system, making the benchmark less relevant to current products.
Moreover, Qualcomm said it has already moved beyond the X85. The company said it “already moved the bar further” with its recently announced X105 platform, widening the gap further from the chip Apple tested against.
Methodology Questions Cloud Ookla Findings
Qualcomm questioned the validity of the Ookla results on methodological grounds. The representative said the results are difficult to assess “because the methodology used to calculate these KPIs and their relevance to real-world application performance is not clear.”
Ookla conducted its telecommunications tests on 5G networks during Q4 2025. The research firm itself acknowledged that outcomes could differ when compared against later generations of Qualcomm RF modems.
Form Factor Noted as a Variable
One aspect of the comparison involves Apple’s iPhone Air, a slimline device. The thin form factor implies users would not need to compromise on device size to access similar data rate and latency performance, according to the Ookla framing.
However, Qualcomm said the comparison oversimplifies what mobile device connectivity involves. The company argued that RF modem performance encompasses far more than the two metrics Ookla highlighted.
Qualcomm RF Modem Roadmap Targets Real-World Performance
At MWC26 Barcelona, Qualcomm outlined its modem-RF roadmap to industry stakeholders. The company stated its roadmap focuses on “delivering tangible improvements in application performance, reliability and user experience, not optimising for isolated benchmarks.”
The statement positions Qualcomm’s strategy as broader than benchmark competition. As telecom chipmakers face growing pressure from device manufacturers developing in-house silicon, Qualcomm is emphasising system-level performance as its differentiator.
“The methodology used to calculate these KPIs and their relevance to real-world application performance is not clear.”
Qualcomm Representative
Context: Apple’s In-House Modem Push
Apple’s C1X represents the company’s effort to reduce reliance on third-party mobile chip suppliers. The C1X debuted in the iPhone Air, marking a significant step in Apple’s multi-year modem development programme.
Qualcomm supplies modems to a wide range of Android device makers. Consequently, any narrowing of the performance gap between Apple’s in-house chip and Qualcomm’s products carries commercial implications for both companies and the broader smartphone market.