New iPhone SE With Apple-Designed 5G Modem Said to Launch in 2025

Apple plans to release an iPhone SE with a custom-designed 5G modem in 2025, according to analyst Jeff Pu. In a research note with Haitong International Securities on Tuesday, he said the modem will be manufactured by Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC.

Apple iPhone SE 4 5G Modem 1
This information comes two months after analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple restarted development of a fourth-generation iPhone SE with a 6.1-inch OLED display and an Apple-designed 5G modem. He said the modem would be built with TSMC's 4nm process and support sub-6GHz bands only, meaning that mmWave would not be supported initially.

Kuo said mass production of the fourth-generation iPhone SE would begin in the first half of 2024, and Qualcomm's CEO also anticipated a 2024 timeframe for Apple's modem, but Pu believes the device's launch has been delayed until 2025.

The current iPhone SE was released in March 2022 and is equipped with Qualcomm's custom Snapdragon X57 chip for sub-6GHz 5G. The 4.7-inch device is Apple's last iPhone with a Home button and Touch ID, but Face ID is likely for the new model, as Kuo said the device will have a similar design as the standard iPhone 14 model.

Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in 2019 in an effort to design its own iPhone modem, a move that would reduce its dependence on Qualcomm. It's unclear if Apple's modem will offer any customer-facing benefits compared to Qualcomm's modems, such as faster 5G performance or improved power efficiency.

Related Roundup: iPhone SE
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)
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Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
22 months ago
Not going to lie the Original iPhone SE (1st Generation) was a pure act of masterpiece. ?



Attachment Image
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
winxmac Avatar
22 months ago

Can we have an Apple-Designed 5G Modem on the iPhone Mini, please?
Can we have an iPhone Mini again please? Or bring back the iPhone 5/5s/SE 2016 form factor? Also, I would also like to have the iPhone 5c form factor make a comeback...
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
22 months ago
Can we have an Apple-Designed 5G Modem on the iPhone Mini, please?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
22 months ago

Not going to lie the Original iPhone SE (1st Generation) was a pure act of masterpiece. ?
While I have fondness for iPhone 4/4S and 5/5S/SE 1, I think iPhone 1 2/13 mini is the pinnacle of Apple's one-handed phone. Too bad it's likely not coming back.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wokis Avatar
22 months ago

Too bad this isn't going to use a Mini-shell. Seems pointless as is compared to a used Pro.
I'm holding out for the same hope, that they'll remake the Mini's innards with an SE-refresh down the line.

It feels somewhat discouraging that no rumours to my knowledge go in that direction.

I'd say RIP iPhone Mini, but want to recall how the iPad mini was even rumoured to be removed back in ~2017 and look how that turned around!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
22 months ago
My brother has the current iPhone SE and he loves it. Despite what others might say, there is a market for these more affordable iPhones. Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles. Apple should try to get it down to the 299 price point though. For all its features, $430 is really high.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)