iPhone SE 4 to Feature Apple’s In-House 5G Modem, Performance in Question

ISLAMABAD: Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE 4 is set to introduce the company’s first in-house 5G modem, marking a significant shift away from its reliance on third-party manufacturers like Qualcomm and Intel. Scheduled for launch on February 19, the iPhone SE 4 will offer a new modem technology, though early reports suggest it may not deliver the same performance as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75, which powers the iPhone 16 series.

A report from South Korea’s Donga publication reveals that Apple’s modem lacks support for mmWave 5G technology, which could limit its network capabilities, especially in regions with robust mmWave networks. Additionally, the modem is said to have fewer carrier aggregation features compared to Qualcomm’s, potentially resulting in slower upload and download speeds for users of the iPhone SE 4.

Analysts speculate that Apple is using the SE 4 as a testbed for its modem technology, experimenting with new components in a more affordable device. The iPhone SE line has traditionally served as a lower-risk platform for introducing innovations.

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The move to develop its own 5G modem has been years in the making for Apple, with earlier plans for inclusion in past iPhone models. Future iPhone releases, such as the anticipated iPhone 17 Air, are also expected to incorporate Apple’s proprietary technology.

The iPhone SE 4 is expected to feature a design inspired by the iPhone 14, moving away from the compact style seen in the previous iPhone SE 3.