iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

[MacRumors]

Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previous rumors, that timeframe suggests the new iPhone SE will be announced in March, just like the current model was in 2022.

The fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to have a similar design as the base iPhone 14, with rumored features including a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a newer A-series chip, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, 8GB of RAM to enable Apple Intelligence support, and the previously-mentioned Apple-designed 5G modem.

Apple is rumored to have been working on its own 5G modem for iPhones since 2018, a move that will allow it to reduce and eventually eliminate its dependance on Qualcomm. Earlier this year, Apple extended its 5G modem supply agreement with Qualcomm for iPhone launches through 2026, so Apple still has plenty of time to complete the transition to its in-house modem. Along with the fourth-generation iPhone SE, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will have an Apple-designed 5G modem.

It is unclear if Apple's first 5G modem would unlock any consumer benefits compared to Qualcomm's modems, such as faster speeds.

In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over anticompetitive practices and $1 billion in unpaid royalty rebates. The two companies settled the lawsuit in 2019, and Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business that same year. That purchase provided Apple with a portfolio of cellular-related patents to bolster its development. In another four months from now, it seems like we will finally see the fruit of this labor.

Apple announced the third-generation iPhone SE during an online event on March 8, 2022. The device looks similar to the iPhone 8, with outdated features such as a Touch ID button, Lightning port, and thick bezels around the display. In the U.S., the iPhone SE currently starts at $429, but the new model might see at least a slight price increase.

Article Link: iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

 

[Sirious]

They should bring back a mini model of the iPhone. I understand there might not be a need anymore in the world of large devices, but it was such a good size for so many getting their first iPhone!

Also I'm sure Apple can afford to keep a sku of a device that "doesn't sell enough" for those "just in case" people

 

[Klae17]

Can't wait for the vocal 0.001% to complain about the 5g modems in the budget iPhone.

 

[RodThePlod]

They should bring back a mini model of the iPhone. I understand there might not be a need anymore in the world of large devices, but it was such a good size for so many getting their first iPhone!

Also I'm sure Apple can afford to keep a sku of a device that "doesn't sell enough" for those "just in case" people

They tried the mini form factor just three years ago, and canned it. I doubt they'd go there again anytime soon!

I think people voted with their wallets, there...

 

[now i see it]

Clearly they don’t have a lot of confidence in it yet. Sneaking it in the cheapest iPhone mid-year.

 

[deaglecat]

Apple desperately needs a credible mid range phone - even if it will likely be premium priced midrange.

 

[jlc1978]

Also I'm sure Apple can afford to keep a sku of a device that "doesn't sell enough" for those "just in case" people

That makes no business sense as it would simply eat into margins; it's better to focus on what is driving margins and revenue.

 

[Graphikos]

Can't wait for the vocal 0.001% to complain about the 5g modems in the budget iPhone.

Can't wait for the lawsuits filed for violating patents one way or another. I'm sure this is the real challenge. Designing a modem that works without infringing. I feel like apple has the technical expertise.

 

[LilNasX]

Lol and I can’t wait for condescending comments like this to get mad at users for having inferior cell phone service.

 

[Havalo]

iPhone SE should be named iPhone Mini (Mini Size) with Touch ID power button and $100 cheaper.

Come on Tim, bite the bullet, you know you want to.

 

[SamRyouji]

the iPhone SE currently starts at $429, but the new model might see at least a slight price increase.

Slight? I bet the brand new iPhone SE with all the advanced features that iPhone users know and love, will start at $499 with 64GB. And they think we'll gonna LUV it!

 

[Return Zero]

I'm very excited for this. Upgrading from the 15 Pro to the 16 Pro doubled my cellular speeds on average (in some areas more like triple!). I never expected that kind of difference without some wild new technology or switching providers. If Apple is engineering this thing as well as they do their other chips, it could be a beast in waiting.

 

[sw1tcher]

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Not confirmed until Apple annouces it.

This new SE is going to be interesting.

 

[foobarbaz]

That makes no business sense as it would simply eat into margins; it's better to focus on what is driving margins and revenue.

By that logic, they should cancel all products other than iPhones and services. None of them compare well to the best selling iPhone. Probably many didn’t even compare well to the mini.

 

[ab2c4]

I am curious to see the final product, specs and price but this might end up being a great, low priced, phone for a lot of people.

 

[contacos]

Seems like a beta test to see if everything works, especially internationally. The irony is that people interested in a "budget" iPhone probably don't even have a 5G mobile plan, at least over here.

 

[macjaffa]

Not confirmed until Apple annouces it.

This new SE is going to be interesting.

yes the quotes around 'confirmed' simply mean not confirmed

 

[No5tromo]

So we're basically looking at an iPhone 16 with just one camera

 

[greenbreadmmm]

I'm very excited for this. Upgrading from the 15 Pro to the 16 Pro doubled my cellular speeds on average (in some areas more like triple!). I never expected that kind of difference without some wild new technology or switching providers. If Apple is engineering this thing as well as they do their other chips, it could be a beast in waiting.

Considering they did not upgrade to the Qualcomms x75 as expected, but rather opted for a custom x71. I reckon their in house chip is not a beast waiting.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Stop using this image @MacRumors the se will not have the action button 😂

 

[5167767]

I will probably buy this when it’s available.

 

[klasma]

Can't wait for the vocal 0.001% to complain about the 5g modems in the budget iPhone.

5g is pretty lightweight for a modem, historically speaking.

 

[jntdroid]

Can't wait for the vocal 0.001% to complain about the 5g modems in the budget iPhone.

I mean, I get it. But, if it can't do its core function as well as pretty much every other recent smartphone in the past few years that uses Qualcomm, that seems like a viable complaint, assuming it is actually subpar when released.

Intel's modems were objectively subpar, but Apple had to be aware of that. So the optimist in me hopes they fixed those problems. 🤷‍♂️

 

[boak]

I think this and the iPad 11 will get A17.

 

[spartan1967]

Rooting for you Apple with your modem marathon. Things like this is where your resources should be going.