Apple is preparing to debut its first custom 5G modem on two iPhone models next year, according to a new post on X from the reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Apple’s work on a custom 5G modem to lessen its reliance on Qualcomm is well-documented, with multiple reports detailing how the company faced many roadblocks and delays during the project. However, it now seems that Apple has largely overcome those obstacles, with its 5G modem finally set to debut on two iPhone models in 2025.
According to Kuo, the iPhone SE 4 will be the first iPhone with the new modem, with the device itself set to be released during the first quarter of 2025. The iPhone 17 Slim, which had its expected specs and features detailed earlier today, will be the second iPhone with Apple’s in-house 5G modem. This device is scheduled to be announced in Q3 2025, likely in September alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup.
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It’s unclear whether both the iPhone SE 4 and iPhone 17 Slim will feature the same 5G modem, but Apple could be preparing several versions of its modems with support for different 5G and 4G bands to account for different wireless standards worldwide. For example, the United States continues to be the only country where recent iPhone models are sold with support for 5G mmWave connectivity.
