The iPhone SE 4, successor to the iPhone SE 3, will have to wait at least until 2025 to be launched. According to recent reports, the delay may be due to Apple’s preparation of its own custom 5G modems.
Apple’s custom 5G modems at the root of the delay
It’s been over a year since the release of the iPhone SE 3, and followers of the range are eagerly awaiting the next iteration. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to feature an all-new design with a full screenThe iPhone XR-style design, while other rumors point to the iPhone 14 design. However, it’s not yet clear whether the device will feature Face ID in the notch or Touch ID integrated into the power button. Despite fans’ expectations, it looks like the iPhone SE 4 won’t be launched until 2025.
The main reason for the delay is integration of customized 5G modems developed by Apple. According to Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O’Malley, who shared research notes, the iPhone SE 4 will not be launched next year. This means that consumers will have to wait until 2025 at the earliest to get their hands on this affordable phone. The device is expected to feature an all-screen design similar to that of the iPhone XRaccompanied by improved internal components and an optimized camera configuration. Although few details are available on the exact design, analysts have made many guesses.
Rumors suggest that the iPhone SE 4 will be the first iPhone to benefit from Apple-developed custom 5G modems. If confirmed, even future iPhone 16 models will not be equipped with these modems. So Apple will have to continue relying on its current suppliers for 5G modems until its own modems are ready. However, if Apple changes its plans, it’s possible that the new modems will also be offered on other iPhone models outside the SE range.
According to Apple product specialists Ming-Chi Kuo, mass production of Apple’s custom iPhone modems is expected to begin in 2025. The iPhone SE 4, or perhaps the iPhone 17 series, will be the first to benefit from these customized 5G modems. For the time being, Apple will continue to source 5G modems for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series from Qualcomm.
Although some sources indicate that the iPhone SE 4 will adopt a design similar to that of the iPhone XR, Ming-Chi Kuo instead claims that the device will be inspired by the design of the iPhone 14.
Updates on iPhone SE 4 research and prediction:
1. I previously predicted that the iPhone SE 4 would be a derivative model of the iPhone 14. However, my latest research indicates that this derivative model will likely be an engineering prototype for Apple in-house 5G baseband… https://t.co/9m5SjSvrKS
– 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) April 13, 2023
According to him, the iPhone SE 4 will feature a 6.1-inch display with Face ID integrated into the notch at the top of the screen. Given that Face ID and OLED screens are features of Apple’s current iPhone 14 line-up, it’s likely that the iPhone SE 4 will also be priced higher.
Currently, the existing SE model features a similar design to the iPhone 6, with Touch ID in the Home button, and has a starting price of €559. We can therefore expect the iPhone SE 4 to have a starting price of €699.