Apple has reportedly cancelled the development of the much-rumored 4th-generation iPhone SE or iPhone SE (2024). The new compact iPhone was initially reported to be delayed, however, well-known analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo reports that Apple has informed its supply chain of the cancellation.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to Kuo, the iPhone SE (2024) was supposed to be used to soft launch Apple’s in-house 5G modem and the performance would have been used as a metric for future use. However, the modem currently does not match the performance of Qualcomm’s 5G modem, hence their delay, and eventually led to the cancellation of the miniature iPhone.
If the modems were successful in the iPhone SE, they would have been used in the iPhone 16 set for release later in 2024.
Qualcomm is expected to remain Apple’s modem supplier for at least the next two years of iPhone releases (iPhone 15 and iPhone 16). The San Diego-based company was forecasted to receive less order for its 5G modem from Apple by 2024, however, this cancellation changes things. both companies have a turbulent relationship, which has gotten better over the past few years.
Asides the delay with its in-house chip, there is no other information provided as to the cancellation. The recent poor sales performance of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini could be a factor; however, it is hard to tell what exact factor has led to its cancellation.