Apple’s iPhone 16e is notable for a bunch of reasons, including killing off the Home button and Apple’s use of LCD screens in its handsets. Away from these obvious upgrades, there was one other invisible change: the Qualcomm modem was replaced with one designed and built by Apple.

Apple's latest silicon chip in the iPhone 16e is an exciting first step in a push to control the entire wireless stack in its devices.

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.