iPhone SE and iPad Air Don't Offer Fastest mmWave 5G - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPhone SE and iPad Air Don't Offer Fastest mmWave 5G

The new $429 iPhone SE and $599 iPad Air with 5G connectivity do not appear to support the fastest mmWave 5G bands, based on the technical specifications listed on Apple's website.

iphone se 5g
Both the iPhone SE and the ‌iPad Air‌ mention support for the following 5G bands in the U.S.: 5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79), but there is no listing for mmWave bands as there is for the iPhone 13 models that do support faster 5G technology.

With no support for mmWave 5G speeds, the iPhone SE models will be limited to sub-6GHz 5G. sub-6GHz 5G is still faster than LTE in most cases, but it is not the super fast impressive 5G speed that you see in marketing materials.

Sub-6GHz 5G is much more widespread and will be the 5G available in rural and suburban areas, as mmWave 5G is shorter range and limited to more urban spots. That said, AT&T and Version have been expanding their faster 5G networks drastically in the U.S. with the release of C-band spectrum, and it is not clear if the new iPhone SE models will be compatible with the higher speed 5G available from the carriers.

The iPhone SE 5G and the ‌iPad Air‌ will be available for preorder this Friday and will launch on March 18.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

apple pro tell logo

Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday

Monday November 9, 2026 4:22 am PST by
The Apple launches keep coming! The company is set to release two new products on Friday, November 13: the all-new Apple HomeView and the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, both of which have been available to pre-order since mid-October. Apple HomeView: Apple's new smart home display, powered by Apple Intelligence with Siri AI, for entertainment and managing the home. Available in tabletop and...
imac video apple feature

November 20 to Mark the End of an Era at Apple

Wednesday November 11, 2026 7:51 am PST by
Apple has announced that the long-running Apple Support Community discussion forums for user-to-user tech support will be permanently closing on Friday, November 20. The forums have existed in some form for nearly 30 years, so it is the end of an era. Effectively immediately, the Apple Support Community forums are in a read-only state, with new posts no longer being accepted. The final...
iOS 28 AI

Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28

Sunday November 8, 2026 7:42 am PST by
Apple has made a change to its development process for iOS 28, macOS 28, and corresponding software updates, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, he said Apple separates development of each year's new operating systems into three major stages. Typically, he said each stage consists of four weeks of coding followed by a four-week "convergence" period where...

Top Rated Comments

JPack Avatar
61 months ago

Unfortunately, this means the SE 3, Mini 6 and Air 5 will be the first Apple devices to become obsolete in terms of 5G connectivity. Even the iPhone 12 models have mmWave 5G.
According to Apple, mid-band 5G offers up to 3.5 Gbits/sec. I doubt anyone will toss their phone because of modem speeds.

mmWave is a nice marketing checkbox, but practically speaking it's not really useful except for notebooks or many years down the road.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SactoGuy18 Avatar
61 months ago
The thing is that mmWave 5G is not exactly that common, even on Verizon. Now, mid-band 5G is something else, though.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
61 months ago

The new iPhone SE also says “LTE advanced” only, as opposed to “Gigabit-class LTE” from the old SE.

I have to imagine that’s a mistake because there’s no way the new SE’s modem does not support gigabit LTE where the old one did.
Probably not because it is not supported, but there are no more Gigabit Class LTE in the market. All network are switching or are going to switch to 5G using previous 4G band.

And Gigabit Class LTE was pretty much an Intel marketing thing. ( If I remember correctly ). Qualcomm likes to use LTE Advance Pro.

And in 2022, we are still arguing about mmWave. People just dont learn.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
61 months ago
Interestingly the new SE drops support for CDMA. Sprint and Verizon are rapidly winding down their CDMA networks. RIP to the one-time superior 3G technology.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Andres Cantu Avatar
61 months ago
The new iPhone SE also says “LTE advanced” only, as opposed to “Gigabit-class LTE” from the old SE.

I have to imagine that’s a mistake because there’s no way the new SE’s modem does not support gigabit LTE where the old one did.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
61 months ago

What modem is in the new SE?

X60 qualcomm?
X55 qualcomm?
custom apple?
I think it's a newer one, because it doesn't have CDMA and is ''LTE Advanced'' not Gigabit LTE (like the 12 / 13)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Support Community Deserved a Proper Goodbye
Apple Support Community Deserved a Proper Goodbye
2 hours ago
Apple on Fatal Vehicle Crash Near Apple Park: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'
Apple on Fatal Vehicle Crash Near Apple Park: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'
9 hours ago
Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features
Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features
10 hours ago
Google Says Gemini App Rolling Out on Apple CarPlay Starting Today
Google Says Gemini App Rolling Out on Apple CarPlay Starting Today
11 hours ago
Is It Worth Buying a Ceramic Apple Watch?
Is It Worth Buying a Ceramic Apple Watch?
14 hours ago
Samsung Early Black Friday Event Brings Major Sales to Frame TVs and More
Samsung Early Black Friday Event Brings Major Sales to Frame TVs and More
15 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery Test Involving 32 Smartphones
iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery Test Involving 32 Smartphones
15 hours ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Hits Record Low $69.99 Price Ahead of Black Friday
AirTag 2 4-Pack Hits Record Low $69.99 Price Ahead of Black Friday
17 hours ago
Rumored Apple Smart Glasses Mentioned in Supplier's Earnings Briefing
Rumored Apple Smart Glasses Mentioned in Supplier's Earnings Briefing
17 hours ago
Make Apple Watch Listen for Sounds Like the Doorbell
Make Apple Watch Listen for Sounds Like the Doorbell
21 hours ago
Apple Chip Supplier TSMC Approves $1 Billion AI Investment
Apple Chip Supplier TSMC Approves $1 Billion AI Investment
21 hours ago
'Apple Support Community' Permanently Closing on November 20
'Apple Support Community' Permanently Closing on November 20
1 day ago
Apple's Holiday Gift Guide Highlights iPhone Duo and More
Apple's Holiday Gift Guide Highlights iPhone Duo and More
1 day ago
Three Workers Die at Tata iPhone Parts Plant in India
Three Workers Die at Tata iPhone Parts Plant in India
1 day ago
iCloud Mail, Calendar, Contacts and More Experiencing Outage [Updated]
iCloud Mail, Calendar, Contacts and More Experiencing Outage [Updated]
1 day ago
Apple's Claris Testing 'Harbor' App for Local AI on Macs
Apple's Claris Testing 'Harbor' App for Local AI on Macs
1 day ago
iFixit's PROLED MacBook Pro Teardown Reveals Logo LEDs
iFixit's PROLED MacBook Pro Teardown Reveals Logo LEDs
1 day ago
10 Free iPhone Duo Apps Worth Downloading
10 Free iPhone Duo Apps Worth Downloading
1 day ago
Apple Releases New AirPods Firmware
Apple Releases New AirPods Firmware
1 day ago
Amazon Begins Early Black Friday Sale, Featuring Sitewide Discounts on Tech and Decor
Amazon Begins Early Black Friday Sale, Featuring Sitewide Discounts on Tech and Decor
2 days ago
Apple Announces Swift Student Challenge Ahead of WWDC 2027
Apple Announces Swift Student Challenge Ahead of WWDC 2027
2 days ago
Next iPad Air Likely to Have These 10 New Features
Next iPad Air Likely to Have These 10 New Features
2 days ago
iPad Mini 2021 vs. 2026 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
iPad Mini 2021 vs. 2026 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
2 days ago
New Apple TV Sign Language Feature Announced
New Apple TV Sign Language Feature Announced
2 days ago
Disable Touch on MacBook Pro PROLED XDR and When Using Sidecar
Disable Touch on MacBook Pro PROLED XDR and When Using Sidecar
2 days ago
Anker's Early Black Friday Sale Surprises With Mystery Boxes and Big Discounts
Anker's Early Black Friday Sale Surprises With Mystery Boxes and Big Discounts
2 days ago
Apple Arcade Adding These Four Games in December
Apple Arcade Adding These Four Games in December
2 days ago
OLED iPad Air Rumored to Launch in Two Sizes in Early 2027
OLED iPad Air Rumored to Launch in Two Sizes in Early 2027
2 days ago
The Original iPod Went on Sale 25 Years Ago Today
The Original iPod Went on Sale 25 Years Ago Today
2 days ago
Apple Maps Could Factor Parking Into Your Arrival Time
Apple Maps Could Factor Parking Into Your Arrival Time
2 days ago