The iPhone SE 4 that is set to come back out early subsequent yr is predicted to debut Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, in keeping with Jeff Pu, an analyst who covers firms inside Apple’s provide chain.
In a analysis observe this week with Hong Kong-based funding agency Haitong Worldwide Securities, Pu stated Apple is predicted to roll out its custom-made 5G modem beginning with the next-generation iPhone SE 4. Apple’s in-house modem will then be joined by a secondary Apple-made Wi-Fi 7 chip within the iPhone 17 Professional within the second half of 2025.
Pu has beforehand stated that iPhone 17 Professional fashions in 2025 will likely be outfitted with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip, which matches his newest expectations for adoption. Pu believes that each {custom} modem and Wi-Fi 7 chips will obtain majority adoption in iPhones by 2027.
Pu’s forecast additionally tallies with predictions just lately made by Apple provide chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. On Thursday, Kuo stated that at the very least one iPhone 17 mannequin launching subsequent yr will likely be outfitted with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip. Kuo additionally expects Apple’s 5G modem for use within the rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17 mannequin.
Kuo believes that Apple’s 5G and Wi-Fi chips are at present two completely different chips that may steadily be utilized in new merchandise concurrently beginning within the second half of 2025. The early switch-over timelines will differ as a consequence of separate manufacturing schedules, in keeping with Kuo. As Pu additionally suggests, the iPhone SE 4 will transfer to an Apple 5G modem however nonetheless use a Broadcom Wi-Fi chip.
Apple’s shift to develop its personal modem and Wi-Fi chip expertise can be a big strategic transfer. At the moment, Apple depends on Qualcomm to produce its modems, and Broadcom for its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth elements. For instance, all 4 iPhone 16 fashions already help Wi-Fi 7 with Broadcom’s chip, however with some restricted specs. By creating its personal equivalents, Apple goals to scale back dependency on third-parties, acquire extra management over the expertise, and doubtlessly decrease prices in the long term.
The fourth-generation iPhone SE is predicted to have an analogous design as the bottom iPhone 14, with rumored options together with a 6.1-inch OLED show, Face ID, a more moderen A-series chip, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear digicam, 8GB of RAM to allow Apple Intelligence help, and naturally the first-ever Apple-designed 5G modem. The brand new iPhone SE is predicted to be launched within the first half of 2025, with a launch in March or April almost definitely.