Apple’s iPhone SE4 is highly anticipated as it could potentially showcase the company’s first custom-designed 5G modem, marking a significant milestone in Apple’s pursuit of greater independence from third-party suppliers.
The iPhone SE 2022 was the third iteration in Apple’s budget lineup, succeeding the iPhone SE (2020). It featured the flagship A15 Bionic chipset, similar to the iPhone 13 series, and introduced 5G connectivity to Apple’s more affordable range. With a starting price of $429, it was slightly more expensive than the iPhone SE 2020, which retailed for $399. The upcoming iPhone SE4, however, is expected to debut an Apple-designed 5G modem for the first time.
Apple has long aimed to gain greater control over its hardware and reduce dependence on external suppliers. The development of its own 5G modem for the iPhone SE4 is a significant step towards achieving this goal. This strategic move allows Apple to offer more customizations and features to its customers, as it becomes more self-sufficient in producing key components for its devices.
The current iPhone SE utilizes Qualcomm’s custom Snapdragon X57 chip for sub-6GHz 5G. In contrast, Apple’s modem is anticipated to deliver faster 5G performance and enhanced power efficiency. With its own modem, Apple can seamlessly integrate hardware and software, providing a better user experience and more efficient battery life management. Moreover, moving away from Qualcomm and developing its modem enables Apple to reduce reliance on a single supplier, granting greater negotiating power and cost reduction.
Nevertheless, questions remain regarding Apple’s modem design and whether it can match or surpass Qualcomm’s performance. While Apple is renowned for creating high-quality hardware and software, developing a 5G modem is a complex and challenging endeavor that demands extensive expertise and resources. The iPhone SE4, featuring Apple’s custom-designed 5G modem, is not expected to launch until 2025, giving the company ample time to refine its design and ensure it adheres to Apple’s stringent standards.