A teardown by TechInsights confirms the US iPhone 18 Pro Max uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon SDX80M 5G modem instead of Apple's C2 chip, despite marketing hype. The device retains the A20 Pro chip and N1 wireless module but diverges in cellular hardware. Apple's specification pages show the C2 modem is listed for the iPhone 18 Pro but omitted for the Pro Max in the US, while international models include C2 in both variants.

The discrepancy suggests a regional configuration, possibly tied to Apple's 2023 agreement with Qualcomm. Other components include modules from Skyworks, Broadcom, Qorvo, Texas Instruments, and an NXP NFC controller. Apple has not explained the US-only exception, but the pattern aligns with contractual obligations rather than technical limitations.