The 16e is the first iPhone that uses Apple's new in-house C1 5G modem, which the company developed after a lot of expensive R&D and buying out Intel's 5G business. It's a modem that doesn't match up very well with Qualcomm's, at least on paper.

Apple’s newest iPhones will be the first to use the company’s own modems, a monumental change—and a potentially big positive—for the Cupertino-based tech giant. Apple debuted the iPhone 16e on Wednesday,

Apple and Qualcomm's relationship has been strained for a decade and the iPhone 16e C1 chip is Apple's first move to cut ties once and for all.