Apple still intends to unveil a new iPhone SE in 2025

Although previous reports suggested that Apple had abandoned the launch of the fourth-generation iPhone SE, consequently affecting the plan to adopt in-house 5G network chips in iPhone models scheduled for 2024, recent market rumors indicate that Apple still intends to unveil a new iPhone SE in 2025, incorporating TSMC-manufactured, proprietary 5G networking chips.

Nevertheless, unlike the 5G network chip designs in collaboration with Qualcomm, Apple’s inaugural self-developed 5G network chip solely supports sub-6GHz frequency bands, without additional integration of millimeter-wave connectivity standards, and will be mass-produced using TSMC’s 4nm process technology.

Formerly, it was assumed that Apple would assess the performance of its in-house 5G network chips through iPhone SE products, rather than deploying them directly in mainstream iPhone models, in order to mitigate risks associated with user experiences, such as poor connectivity or excessive power consumption. Thus, the impact of product testing on the iPhone SE is evidently more limited.

Should Apple successfully launch an iPhone SE equipped with its own 5G network chip and garner positive user feedback, this would signify the termination of its partnership with Qualcomm and the integration of proprietary 5G network chips into iPhone models and other products.

At present, rumors suggest that the new iPhone SE will be launched in the first half of 2025, indicating that Apple must wait until at least the iPhone 16 series before implementing its in-house 5G network chips in mainstream iPhone models, with the primary consideration being their actual performance.