Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 16e, marking the end of the SE series. Many have ridiculed its configuration and price, questioning who would purchase such a perceived "crippled" device.

However, history has shown that Apple's new releases, despite initial criticism, often become best-sellers, and the iPhone 16e might follow suit.

While the iPhone 16e's initial price might seem steep, with a national subsidy of 500 yuan and additional discounts, it's likely to fall within the 3500 to 3800 yuan range. At this price point, coupled with iOS's seamless experience, consistency, and security, it has the potential to become a top choice for seniors, offering four to five years of reliable use with high security and an excellent user experience.

Crucially, the iPhone 16e features Apple's self-developed 5G baseband chip, the C1, signaling Apple's intent to replace Qualcomm's chips. How does the C1 stack up against the Qualcomm X71 found in the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro?

A recent blogger's detailed comparison of network performance between these chips, including upload/download speeds, network switching speeds, and power consumption, sheds some light.

Here are the key findings:

1. In optimal network conditions, the X71 and C1 chips exhibit nearly identical upload and download speeds, performing at the same level.
2. In poor network environments, the C1 occasionally outperforms the X71, providing more stable connections, though overall performance remains similar.
3. When switching between different networks, the C1 performs comparably to the X71, regardless of the network environment.
4. In terms of power consumption, the C1 consumes approximately 25% less than the X71.

In summary, Apple's self-developed C1 chip performs on par with Qualcomm's offerings in terms of performance but excels in energy efficiency. This initial chip already demonstrates significant advantages, hinting at even greater strides with future iterations like the C2 and C3. With these advancements, it's plausible that Apple could soon replace Qualcomm entirely.

Looking ahead, it's highly likely that the next-generation iPhone 17 will feature Apple's self-developed baseband chip, whether it's the C2 or another model. The extent of Qualcomm's replacement remains to be seen, but it's clear that their days of profiting heavily from Apple are numbered.