New iPhone SE With Apple-Designed 5G Modem Said to Launch in 2025

Apple plans to release an iPhone SE with a custom-designed 5G modem in 2025, according to analyst Jeff Pu. In a research note with Haitong International Securities on Tuesday, he said the modem will be manufactured by Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC.

Apple iPhone SE 4 5G Modem 1
This information comes two months after analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple restarted development of a fourth-generation iPhone SE with a 6.1-inch OLED display and an Apple-designed 5G modem. He said the modem would be built with TSMC's 4nm process and support sub-6GHz bands only, meaning that mmWave would not be supported initially.

Kuo said mass production of the fourth-generation iPhone SE would begin in the first half of 2024, and Qualcomm's CEO also anticipated a 2024 timeframe for Apple's modem, but Pu believes the device's launch has been delayed until 2025.

The current iPhone SE was released in March 2022 and is equipped with Qualcomm's custom Snapdragon X57 chip for sub-6GHz 5G. The 4.7-inch device is Apple's last iPhone with a Home button and Touch ID, but Face ID is likely for the new model, as Kuo said the device will have a similar design as the standard iPhone 14 model.

Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in 2019 in an effort to design its own iPhone modem, a move that would reduce its dependence on Qualcomm. It's unclear if Apple's modem will offer any customer-facing benefits compared to Qualcomm's modems, such as faster 5G performance or improved power efficiency.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.5 With New Wallpaper, Screen Time Changes, Carrier Satellite Support for iPhone 13 and More

Monday May 12, 2025 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, the fifth updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 come a little over a month after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 18.5 update has a...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

WSJ: Apple Weighing Price Hikes for iPhone 17 Lineup Without Blaming Tariffs

Monday May 12, 2025 3:36 am PDT by
Apple is considering raising prices for its upcoming iPhone 17 models set to release this fall, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Wall Street Journal. The company reportedly aims to pair the potential price hikes with new features and design changes to justify the increased cost to consumers, rather than attributing them to U.S. tariffs on goods from China. The...
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Expected This Week With These New Features

Monday May 12, 2025 7:20 am PDT by
Following more than a month of beta testing, Apple is expected to release iOS 18.5 to the general public this week. While the software update is relatively minor, it still includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones. Below, we recap everything new in iOS 18.5. Pride Wallpaper Apple recently announced its 2025 Pride Collection, including a new Apple Watch band, watch face,...
tvOS 18 Feature

Apple Releases tvOS 18.5

Monday May 12, 2025 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 18.5, the latest version of the tvOS operating system. tvOS 18.5 comes a little over a month after the launch of tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models. tvOS 18.5 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌Apple TV‌ owners who have...
Mayday Calendar

Apple Acquisition Hints at Upgraded Calendar App on iOS 19 or Beyond

Friday May 9, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Apple acquired Canadian startup Mayday Labs in April 2024, according to a European Commission listing, spotted by French blog MacGeneration. The acquisition had not received widespread attention from tech publications until now. Apple is legally required to report certain acquisitions to the European Commission, under the terms of the EU's Digital Markets Act. Mayday Labs founder Jeremy...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.5

Monday May 12, 2025 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.5, the fifth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched last September. macOS Sequoia 15.5 comes a little over a month after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.4. Mac users can download the ‌‌‌macOS Sequoia 15.5‌‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run ...
top stories 2025 05 10

Top Stories: iOS 18.5 Release Imminent, iPhone Rumors for 2025 and Beyond, and More

Saturday May 10, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
With Apple's developer conference where it will show off iOS 19 just a month away, the company is wrapping up work on iOS 18.5 ahead of an imminent release to deliver a few new features and updates. This week also saw a number of iPhone-related rumors, encompassing not only this year's iPhone 17 lineup but also Apple's plans for 2026 and 2027, even as Apple's Eddy Cue suggested AI could make ...

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
27 months ago
Not going to lie the Original iPhone SE (1st Generation) was a pure act of masterpiece. ?



Attachment Image
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
winxmac Avatar
27 months ago

Can we have an Apple-Designed 5G Modem on the iPhone Mini, please?
Can we have an iPhone Mini again please? Or bring back the iPhone 5/5s/SE 2016 form factor? Also, I would also like to have the iPhone 5c form factor make a comeback...
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
27 months ago
Can we have an Apple-Designed 5G Modem on the iPhone Mini, please?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
27 months ago

Not going to lie the Original iPhone SE (1st Generation) was a pure act of masterpiece. ?
While I have fondness for iPhone 4/4S and 5/5S/SE 1, I think iPhone 1 2/13 mini is the pinnacle of Apple's one-handed phone. Too bad it's likely not coming back.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wokis Avatar
27 months ago

Too bad this isn't going to use a Mini-shell. Seems pointless as is compared to a used Pro.
I'm holding out for the same hope, that they'll remake the Mini's innards with an SE-refresh down the line.

It feels somewhat discouraging that no rumours to my knowledge go in that direction.

I'd say RIP iPhone Mini, but want to recall how the iPad mini was even rumoured to be removed back in ~2017 and look how that turned around!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
27 months ago
My brother has the current iPhone SE and he loves it. Despite what others might say, there is a market for these more affordable iPhones. Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles. Apple should try to get it down to the 299 price point though. For all its features, $430 is really high.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)