Apple switches to its own 5G modem with iPhone SE 4

Apple is preparing to introduce its self-developed 5G modem technology to users for the first time with the iPhone SE 4, which it plans to launch in the first months of 2024. This new modem is considered an important step in the company’s long-standing independent hardware development strategy. Apple, which previously used only modems provided by Qualcomm, aims to reduce supply chain dependence and increase the performance of its devices under its own control with its new model.

A news published by Bloomberg provides detailed information about this new modem. This modem, developed by Apple and codenamed “Sinope”, will not support mmWave technology. This technology is used for short-range 5G connectivity, which is offered by providers like Verizon and can theoretically reach speeds of 10 Gbps. Instead, Apple’s modem will focus on the Sub-6 GHz 5G standard. Although Sub-6 GHz is a more widely used technology, it offers wider coverage and stands out as a logical choice, especially for affordable devices.

What advantages will the new modem offer?

Apple’s new modem not only offers Sub-6 GHz connection; It is also optimized to increase the overall performance of the device. According to Bloomberg, this modem will offer quad carrier aggregation support. This technology provides higher data speeds by combining different network frequencies. However, compared to Qualcomm’s modems with six-carrier aggregation support, Apple’s solution seems to lag behind in terms of speed. However, this may not be felt so much on a more affordable device like the iPhone SE.

One of the main reasons why Apple developed and started using its own modem is to increase the battery life of its devices. By tightening the integration between the modem and other components, the company aims to improve not only connection speed but also energy efficiency. This may provide longer usage times, especially for users looking for a price/performance balance like the iPhone SE.

iPhone SE 4 will attract attention not only with its new modem technology, but also with its general design and hardware upgrades. It is stated that the device will have a similar design to the iPhone 14. In this context, it is expected to come with a 6.1 inch OLED screen, A18 Bionic processor, USB-C port, Face ID and a single 48 MP main camera. All these features are designed to support the artificial intelligence capabilities of the device. In addition, there are expectations that the iPhone SE 4 will be the most powerful SE model Apple has ever released.

With the launch of this new model, Apple will also take an important step towards reshaping its relationship with Qualcomm. Apple focused on developing its own modem technology by purchasing Intel’s modem unit in 2019. However, due to technical difficulties and supply chain requirements encountered in the process, the company had to extend its agreements with Qualcomm until 2026.

Apple’s second generation modem project, “Ganymede”, will be completed in 2026, and this technology will reach a level to compete with Qualcomm’s existing solutions with mmWave support. In addition, it is planned that the company will develop its third generation modems, codenamed “Prometheus”, by 2027. These modems are aimed to be superior to their competitors not only in terms of performance, but also in matters such as artificial intelligence integration and energy efficiency.

Apple’s work on modem technology may not be limited to iPhone models only. According to the report, future MacBook models and Vision series augmented reality glasses may also benefit from this technology. In this case, innovations such as MacBooks gaining cellular connectivity can add a different dimension to the Apple ecosystem.

Considering all these developments, the iPhone SE 4 model is considered not just a device launch, but the beginning of Apple’s independence journey in modem technologies. The company’s success in this area could greatly impact both product performance and competitiveness in the years to come.