The iPhone SE 4's modem, Apple's first in-house 5G modem, is expected to have significant limitations compared to Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75, particularly in terms of carrier aggregation capabilities.
Apple's modem is reported to support four-carrier aggregation (4x CA), which allows for peak download speeds of around 4 Gbps under optimal conditions. In contrast, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75 can aggregate up to five sub-6 carriers, or even ten with mmWave, enabling theoretical speeds of 7â10 Gbps. This means that users of devices equipped with the Snapdragon X75 can potentially experience faster download and upload speeds, especially in environments where multiple carriers can be utilized effectively[1][2][3].
Moreover, the iPhone SE 4's modem lacks support for mmWave technology, which is crucial for achieving ultra-fast speeds in densely populated areas. The absence of mmWave support further limits the SE 4's performance compared to the iPhone 16 series, which utilizes the Snapdragon X75 and offers both sub-6 GHz and mmWave capabilities[1][2][4]. As a result, users in urban hotspots may find that the iPhone SE 4 provides slower performance than its more advanced counterparts.
In summary, while Apple's in-house modem marks a strategic shift towards greater independence from Qualcomm, it currently falls short in carrier aggregation features and overall speed capabilities when compared to Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75.
Citations:[1] https://www.rdworldonline.com/iphone-se-4-launch-hints-at-apples-long-game-in-5g-modems-challenging-qualcomms-reign/
[2] https://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_se_4s_modem_to_lack_mmwave_support-news-66580.php
[3] https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43774315/apples-iphone-se-4-to-feature-tsmc-made-in-house-5g-modembut-it-may-lag-behind-qualcomms-snapdragon-x75
[4] https://www.ainvest.com/news/apple-iphone-se-4-feature-tsmc-house-5g-modem-lag-qualcomm-snapdragon-x75-2502/
[5] https://www.telecomtv.com/content/5g/qualcomm-and-samsung-accomplish-carrier-aggregation-world-first-48422/
[6] https://in.mashable.com/tech/89917/iphone-se-4s-5g-modem-may-lag-behind-in-speed-compared-to-other-models
[7] https://cenerva.com/5G-news/qualcomm-prepares-for-5g-advanced-with-x75-chip/
[8] https://www.nextpit.com/qualcomm-snapdragon-x75-x72-5g-modem-announcement
[9] https://dailythedestination.com/iphone-se-4-to-feature-apples-in-house-5g-modem-performance-in-question/
[10] https://www.samsung.com/global/business/networks/insights/press-release/qualcomm_and_samsung_accomplish_worlds_First_simultaneous_5g_2x_uplink/
[11] https://yesim.app/blog/iphone-16-release-date-what-it-will-look-like/