The idea that Apple is creating its own 5G modem for the iPhone has been around for a while. Many thought that the iPhone SE 2025 will likely be unveiled alongside this new 5G modem.
According to a recent Bloomberg article, the iPhone SE phone, which is expected to be introduced in 2025, is probably going to come with this 5G modem, dubbed Sinope. Furthermore, they state that Apple’s mid-tier iPhones and lower-tier iPads, which are scheduled for delivery next year, will also come with this modem. According to Bloomberg, this phone—which is only being reported with the codename D23 at this time—is most likely the iPhone 17 Air.
It is well known, meanwhile, that the modem is less sophisticated and useful than the Qualcomm modems found in earlier iPhone models.
In certain places, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T use the fast but unreliable mmWave 5G standard, which it does not support. Although they also support mmWave, the majority of high-end Android smartphones in the US now support the sub-6GHz 5G standard. Additionally, mmWave is supported by some older Android devices.
This modem, in my opinion, is a deal breaker. For the time being, this modem will only be utilized in mid-range handsets like the iPhone SE 2025 since, according to tech news sites like androidauthority, mmWave capability is rarely seen on inexpensive Android phones in the US.