Although it was previously reported that Apple canceled the launch of the 4th-generation iPhone SE, which also affected the original plan to adopt a self-made 5G networking chip in the iPhone model in 2024, recent market reports indicate that Apple still plans to launch in 2025. The launch of the new iPhone SE will also use self-made 5G networking chips produced by TSMC.
However, unlike the 5G networking chip design in cooperation with Qualcomm, Apple’s first self-developed 5G networking chip only supports frequency bands below 6GHz, and does not add support for millimeter-wave connection specifications. It will also be mass-produced with TSMC’s 4nm process .
Previously, it was believed that Apple used the iPhone SE product to test the performance of its own 5G networking chip, rather than directly using it in mainstream iPhone models. The power condition affects the user experience, so the impact of choosing to conduct product testing on the iPhone SE is obviously smaller.
As for if Apple successfully launches the iPhone SE equipped with a self-made 5G networking chip, and finally obtains good user feedback, it means that the partnership with Qualcomm will be terminated next, and the self-made 5G networking chip will be introduced into iPhone models and other products.
At present, the new iPhone SE is rumored to be launched in the first half of 2025, which means that Apple will wait until at least the iPhone 16 series to replace the mainstream iPhone models with self-made 5G networking chips, but it mainly depends on the actual performance of its self-made 5G networking chips.