Apple is set to announce its new iPhone SE 4, and the device will feature an in-house designed 5G chip – a significant milestone for the company. The move marks Apple’s dedication to controlling its full technology stack, from hardware to software.
For years, Apple has been working on developing its own cellular modems, and this latest development is a major step forward. However, it’s unlikely that the new feature will receive much attention at launch.
The reason for this lies in the fact that the first 5G modem won’t support mmWave, has reduced download speeds compared to Qualcomm’s current offerings, and only supports four-carrier aggregation. In contrast, upcoming models from 2026 onwards are expected to offer improved performance and feature parity with Qualcomm’s modems.
Additionally, the iPhone SE 4 will not be equipped with the latest 5G modem, instead opting for Qualcomm’s technology. This is likely due to the fact that the flagship iPhone 17 Pro models will also stick with Qualcomm, rather than introducing Apple’s new in-house tech.
As a result, Apple may choose to acknowledge the new 5G modem in its announcement, but it won’t draw too much attention to it just yet. It’s only when the second-generation modem is released next year that Apple will likely take a more prominent stance on its technology.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/02/07/apples-newest-iphone-feature-will-likely-fly-under-the-radar-next-week