No one knows what the ‘SE’ in iPhone SE really stands for. But we do know one thing: Apple’s SE devices aren’t known for introducing brand new tech. That’s set to change this spring, though, when the new iPhone SE is expected to come with one cutting edge upgrade: the very first Apple-made modem for handling 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.
What makes an SE?
Once upon a time, Apple’s SE branding didn’t refer to budget products. The Macintosh SE, for example, was a compelling innovation on the original Macintosh.
But these days, even though the letters are undefined, ‘SE’ clearly denotes ‘budget option.’ The iPhone SE and Apple Watch SE are the lowest cost products in their categories, by a lot.
Apple keeps its prices for SE devices so low by reusing tech from existing products.
Sometimes an iPhone SE will get select modern features from the previous flagship iPhone. But it’s never the first model to debut that tech.
2025 will bring a notable exception to that norm.
New iPhone SE includes Apple’s in-house 5G chip
Per various reports, including our own, Apple’s years-in-the-making modem project is finally ready to ship.
The company has long been developing its own 5G modem tech to replace the expensive parts provided by Qualcomm.
And the new iPhone SE will be the first device to get that new modem.
My colleague Filipe Espósito writes:
Codenamed “Centauri,” the modem is quite ambitious and will also handle Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.
So 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS connectivity will all come via a new, Apple-designed chip.
It’s cutting edge technology that the budget iPhone SE gets first.
Why?
I can guess a couple of reasons:
- By including the chip in the iPhone SE, Apple can discover any potential issues with the modem before it gets added to a flagship iPhone model.
- By not having to pay Qualcomm for a 5G modem, Apple will save money that can help keep the iPhone SE affordable.
Most of the time, cutting edge technology comes at a high cost.
Apple’s years of modem R&D have surely been expensive. But now that the modem’s ready to ship, the company will actually save money by using its own chip rather than Qualcomm’s.
Wrap-up: iPhone SE’s 5G modem
Add Apple’s new in-house modem to the other key features of the upcoming SE model, and it makes for an extremely compelling budget offering.
Perhaps, even, the iPhone that most people should buy.
Are you interested in getting Apple’s in-house modem? Or would you consider it a riskier proposition? Let us know in the comments.
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