Kuo: iPhone SE 4 and Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Use Apple's Own 5G Chip

Apple is rumored to have been working on its own 5G modem for iPhones since 2018, but the project has reportedly faced numerous challenges and delays. At last, however, the project may be finally getting closer to completion.

5G Modem Feature Blue
In a short article posted on social media platform X today, well-known Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said two iPhone models with an Apple-designed 5G modem will be released in 2025, including a fourth-generation iPhone SE in the first quarter of the year and an all-new, ultra-thin iPhone 17 model in the third quarter.

All existing iPhones that are currently sold by Apple are equipped with Qualcomm modems for cellular connectivity. Earlier this year, Apple extended its 5G modem supply agreement with Qualcomm for iPhone launches through 2026, so Apple's transition to its own in-house 5G chips will likely be gradual over multiple years.

Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in 2019, as part of its efforts to design its own 5G chip. It is unclear if Apple's chip would have any consumer benefits over Qualcomm's modems, but it would reduce Apple's reliance on Qualcomm. In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over alleged anticompetitive practices and $1 billion in unpaid royalty rebates. The two companies settled the lawsuit in 2019.

Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Buy Now)
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Top Rated Comments

1369281 Avatar
16 months ago
Even more reason to not buy either of these phones. No one does modems better than Qualcomm.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
appleCakes Avatar
16 months ago
Great reason to buy iPhone 16.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Schtibbie Avatar
16 months ago
Would not want to have one of those first-gen modems.. I don't see how they could be as polished as the current Qualcomms in use as far as marginal-signal handling, carrier aggregation, etc...
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Premium1 Avatar
16 months ago
Always gotta let them work the kinks out because they are using intels engineers and we know how well their modems did. This isn't CPU's, so I will wait until version 2/3 before jumping in. Qualcomm>> everyone else in the modem game right now.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zdigital2015 Avatar
16 months ago
I’ll believe it when I see it on the Apple website and it’s in the keynote. I still think Apple is at least 2-3 more years away from ironing out all the kinks and bugs and producing a usable chipset, much less integrating one into the SoC, which is their ultimate endgame.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
16 months ago

The 17 Slim is rumored to be the highest placed phone in the lineup... I suspect any lack of it in the other phones is likely due to keeping the same or similar chassis from the 16s, the modem may need a redesign on antenna placement or something
Nobody thinks it'll be the highest end phone except for literally one source. I'm still not sure why so many posters believe that.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)