Ookla has released the results of its Speedtest for the Apple iPhone Air’s C1X custom silicon modem found in the super thin (and surprisingly durable) iPhone Air.
The report uses global Ookla Speedtest data, analyzing the real-world performance of Apple’s custom modem. Ookla also notes that it provides a “technical analysis” of the modem, claiming that Apple’s in-house RF engineering has “closed the connectivity gap” with other industry giants, and achieved “true download parity” alongside setting new network latency standards.
The data shows that the new C1x has a “generational” leap over the previous C1 model that is currently being used in the iPhone 17e. Additionally, Ookla notes that it has caught up with the Qualcomm X80 in terms of download and latency performance, noting that Apple’s custom silicon is no longer a compromise for users.
Image Credit: Ookla
Interestingly, the iPhone Air outperformed the Qualcomm-based iPhone 17 Pro Max in latency metrics across 19 of the 22 markets that Ookla analyzed. The report suggests that Apple’s tighter modem-to-processor integration could deliver a snappier user experience. Ookla noted that the C1X showed significant upside vs the C1 in markets with more advanced 5G networks, which include the UAE, Singapore, China, the US, France, and Saudi Arabia.
Image Credit: Ookla
The report also notes the success of Apple’s decision to end production of the Plus model in favour of the Air. In the US, the Air saw its market share jump from 2.9 per cent to 6.8 per cent in just one year. In Canada, the iPhone Air has a market share of 6.2 per cent. Ookla also notes that the iPhone Air out-sampled the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 3 to 1.
