Apple is set to unveil the iPhone SE 4 on February 19, marking a major milestone in the company’s efforts to reduce reliance on third-party chipmakers. The budget-friendly device will debut Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, but early reports suggest it may fall short of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75, which is expected to power the iPhone 16 series.
According to a report from South Korean publication Donga, Apple’s modem does not support mmWave 5G—a key feature in high-speed mobile networks, particularly in the U.S. Additionally, the modem is said to lack advanced carrier aggregation, potentially leading to slower upload and download speeds compared to Qualcomm’s modems.
A Testing Ground for Apple’s Future Modems
Industry analysts believe Apple is using the iPhone SE 4 as a testing platform for its in-house modem technology before integrating it into flagship models. Apple has been working on its own 5G modem for several years, aiming for greater control over hardware and software integration.
iPhone SE 4: What Else to Expect?
The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature a design similar to the iPhone 14, moving away from the compact form factor of its predecessor, the iPhone SE 3. If true, this could mean a larger display, Face ID support, and possibly an OLED screen instead of LCD.
Apple’s in-house 5G modem is expected to evolve with future devices, including the rumored iPhone 17 Air, which may also adopt the new technology.
While the performance of Apple’s modem remains uncertain, the iPhone SE 4’s launch will be a crucial step in Apple’s long-term strategy to develop proprietary wireless technology and reduce dependence on Qualcomm and Intel.
