- The iPhone SE 4 could have an Apple modem
- Better battery life may be a benefit
- More modem upgrades expected in 2026 and 2027
We've heard a lot in recent weeks about the iPhone SE 4, which is expected to appear in March 2025, and a new report backs up what we previously heard about the phone arriving with a new Apple 5G and Wi-Fi modem.
This comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, one of the most reliable sources when it comes to Apple leaks, and while we've heard this particular rumor before, Gurman adds plenty of details in addition in his article.
The new series of chipsets, which will replace those made by Qualcomm, took five years to develop, Gurman says. He also adds that it could take until 2027 for the chips to fully catch up to Qualcomm equivalents in terms of performance and features.
Additionally, we get the codename of the first modem: Sinope. It has been extensively tested and proven reliable, but it does not match the modem technology in today's high-end iPhones and does not support mmWave type of 5G. However, it is believed that most users will not notice any difference in cellular speeds.
Future updates
While Qualcomm may still have the advantage in terms of modem technology, there are good reasons for Apple to switch to its own modems, as it has done with processors: it means that the iPhone as a whole can be built to be more tightly integrated and be more efficient. , which should mean lower battery consumption.
The new modem will reportedly offer better support for dual-SIM setups and reduce the level of radio frequency energy emitted; This isn't a problem for current iPhones, but it will be even less of an issue in the future.
According to Gurman, a second-generation modem should be expected in 2026, ready for the iPhone 18. That will advance the technology even further, improving download speeds and adding support for mmWave. A third model is planned for 2027.
It may not be the biggest update to the iPhone SE 4, but it's a significant one. The upcoming phone is rumored to be the first in the SE series to ditch the Touch ID home button and adopt the iPhone's modern look.
