Teardown confirms US iPhone 18 Pro Max uses Qualcomm X68 modem

TechInsights has confirmed that the iPhone 18 Pro Max sold in the United States still uses a Qualcomm modem, according to a detailed teardown of the device. The analysis shows the chipset is a Qualcomm X68 5G modem, a model that has been used in earlier iPhones but was replaced by Apple‑made modems from the iPhone 12 onward. The teardown also notes that the modem is housed in a separate module, not integrated into Apple’s A18 chip.

Apple switched to its own modems in 2020 to reduce licensing fees and gain tighter control over 5G performance. That move was praised by some investors and helped the company cut costs. However, the U.S. Department of Justice opened an antitrust probe into Qualcomm in 2023, alleging that the company used its market power to force higher prices and restrict competition. In response, Apple began to rely on its own silicon to avoid potential regulatory scrutiny and to keep pricing under its own control. The new use of a Qualcomm modem in the U.S. model suggests that Apple has found a way to meet the probe’s demands while still delivering the high‑speed connectivity that U.S. carriers require. It also indicates that