As we wrote about earlier today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects Apple's first 5G modem to debut in a new iPhone SE, an ultra-thin iPhone

Apple is preparing three generations of 5G modem with the first arriving in the 2025 iPhone SE 4. The third generation may be coming to Macs and possibly Vision Pro too.

Using iPhone SE 4 as a launching pad for new hardware, like the Apple 5G modem, is a brilliant move on Apple's part.

The first Apple modem is rumored to come to the iPhone SE before appearing in the rumored iPhone “Slim” and entry-level iPads. Down the line, Apple is reportedly planning to roll out a second-generation modem with mmWave in 2026,

After reports suggested Apple scrapped its plans to make in-house 5G modems, it seems the company has a three-year plan to replace Qualcomm.

According to Gurman, a cellular MacBook won’t happen before 2026, because Apple will use a later-generation modem that supports faster speeds. Apple’s first modem, the one that will be in the new iPhone SE, will have some performance limitations, such as no support for mmWave and a maximum speed of 4Gbps.

It is highly likely that the iPhone SE 4, set to be launched in early 2025, will come with Apple's in-house developed 5G modem. Still, sources from the upstream supply chain believe it will take some time before the chip's performance can catch up with the competition of leading suppliers.

Apple to introduce its first in-house 5G modem, reducing its reliance on Qualcomm for network connectivity in its devices.

Apple is reportedly developing an in-house modem, codenamed Sinope, to replace Qualcomm chips in iPhones by 2025. It is likely to promise improved efficiency and design, paving the way for innovations like foldable iPhones and cellular connectivity for Macs.

Apple is preparing to finally bring one of its most ambitious projects to market: a series of cellular modem chips that will replace components from longtime partner — and adversary — Qualcomm.