Tim Hardwick
The iPhone SE 4, due out early next year, is expected to feature Apple's first proprietary 5G modem, according to Jeff Pu, an analyst who covers companies in Apple's supply chain.
In a research note published this week with Hong Kong-based investment firm Haitong International Securities, Pu said Apple is expected to release its own 5G modem starting with the next-generation iPhone SE 4. The Apple-designed modem will then be joined by an additional Apple-made Wi-Fi 7 chip in the iPhone 17 Pro in the second half of 2025.
Pu has previously said that the iPhone 17 Pro models in 2025 will feature an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip, which is in line with his latest expectations for adoption. Pu believes that both the custom modem and Wi-Fi 7 chips will be the majority of iPhones by 2027.
Pu's prediction also aligns with a recent prediction by Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo said Thursday that at least one iPhone 17 model launching next year will feature an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip. Kuo also expects Apple's 5G modem to be used in a rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17 model.
- iPhone 17 Air: Everything We Know About Apple's Thin iPhone
Kuo believes Apple's 5G and Wi-Fi chips are currently two different chips that will gradually be used in new products at the same time starting in the second half of 2025. The early timing of the transition will vary due to separate production schedules, Kuo said. As Poo also suggests, the iPhone SE 4 will switch to Apple's 5G modem, but will still use a Broadcom Wi-Fi chip.
Apple's move to developing its own modem and Wi-Fi chip technology would be a significant strategic move. Apple currently relies on Qualcomm to supply its modems and Broadcom for its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth components. For example, all four iPhone 16 models already support Wi-Fi 7 with a Broadcom chip, but with some limited features. By creating its own equivalents, Apple aims to reduce its reliance on third-party manufacturers, gain more control over the technology, and potentially reduce costs in the long run.
The fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to feature a similar design to the base iPhone 14, with rumored features including a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a new A-series chip, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence, and of course, the first-ever Apple-designed 5G modem. The new iPhone SE is expected to launch in the first half of 2025, with a launch likely in March or April.
Related Reviews: iPhone 17, iPhone SETTags: Apple 5G Modem Guide, Jeff Pu, Wi-Fi 7Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy It)Related Forums: iPhone[ 27 comments ]
