The iPhone 15 Pro has received a significant 5G speed boost thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modem, according to an analysis by SpeedSmart. The phone delivers an average 5G download speed of 255 Mbps, which is up to 24% faster than the iPhone 14 Pro.
The speed gain is not uniform across all carriers’ 5G networks, with Verizon showing the biggest improvement. However, all three major US carriers—Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile—saw significant speed gains.
The iPhone 15 Pro also features an improved upload speed, but the boost is not as dramatic as the download speed increase. Additionally, the phone’s ping time, which is a measure of network latency, remained unchanged or saw only minor improvements.
The Snapdragon X70 modem is also claimed to boost power efficiency, reduce latency, improve aggregation, and enhance coverage. It is the same modem that is also found in Android phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, such as the OnePlus 11 and Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Interestingly, Qualcomm already has an upgraded version of the Snapdragon X70 modem, the Snapdragon X75, ready to serve the next wave of flagship phones. However, it is unclear if Apple will use the X75 modem in the iPhone 16 series or wait until the iPhone 17 series.
In addition to the improved 5G modem, the iPhone 15 Pro also offers support for the Thread networking technology and NavIC, an alternative to GPS developed by the Indian Space Research Organization.
Overall, the iPhone 15 Pro’s improved 5G modem and support for new networking technologies make it a compelling choice for users who want the best possible connectivity experience.
