Apple Cancels Launch of iPhone SE 4

Apple has decided to cancel the launch of its next budget smartphone, the iPhone SE 4, which was originally planned for 2024. This news comes from renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, whose sources are typically reliable.

The iPhone SE 4 was expected to feature a brand new design with a notch, similar to the high-end iPhones. However, Kuo had previously reported that Apple was considering its options for the device due to low sales of both the iPhone 14 and the current-generation iPhone SE. Instead of simply delaying the production of the iPhone SE 4, it seems that Apple has made the decision to cancel it entirely.

One potential reason for the cancellation is the development of a 5G modem designed by Apple. The iPhone SE 4 was expected to be the first smartphone to incorporate this modem, which would have allowed the company to test it on a large scale before including it in higher-end models. However, the development of the modem has been delayed, which may have contributed to Apple’s decision to cancel the iPhone SE 4.

The cancellation of the iPhone SE 4 could also have significant implications for Apple’s future high-end smartphones. The company had originally planned to launch its own modem in 2024 and use the iPhone SE 4 as the test bed for it. This would have been a way for Apple to increase its independence from Qualcomm, one of its main suppliers of modems. However, it seems that Apple is concerned about the performance of its own modem, and therefore decided to launch it on the more affordable iPhone SE before potentially using it on higher-end models.

Without the iPhone SE 4, it is unclear what Apple’s strategy will be for its budget smartphone market. It is possible that the company could simply continue to sell older models at a reduced price, or it may decide to release a new model at some point in the future. In the meantime, Qualcomm is expected to remain the exclusive supplier of 5G modems for Apple in 2023 with the iPhone 15 and in 2024 with the iPhone 16.