Kuo: All iPhone 17 Models Will Feature Apple-Designed Wi-Fi Chip to 'Enhance Connectivity'

[MacRumors]

Apple will use its own custom-designed Wi-Fi chip in all upcoming iPhone 17 models, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Writing in a post on X (Twitter), Kuo said the switch to in-house Wi-Fi chips will "enhance connectivity across Apple devices" while also giving Apple a cost reduction.

All current iPhone models are equipped with a combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip supplied by Broadcom, but Kuo has previously said he expects Apple to equip "nearly all" of its products with its own in-house Wi-Fi chip "within about three years."

Kuo in October predicted that at least one iPhone 17 model launching next year will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip. In the previous report, Kuo said Apple's chip would support "the latest Wi-Fi 7 spec," but he did not provide any further details, and his latest post does not mention a Wi-Fi version number.

All four iPhone 16 models already support Wi-Fi 7 with Broadcom's chip, but they have some limited specifications.

Jeff Pu, another analyst who covers companies within Apple's supply chain, said in November 2024 that only the iPhone 17 Pro models will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip, but Apple's plans may have changed since then.

With Wi-Fi 7 support, iPhone 17 models could leverage the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously when paired with a compatible router, enhancing data transfer speeds, reducing latency, and improving overall connection stability. Qualcomm states that Wi-Fi 7 can achieve peak speeds exceeding 40 Gbps, making it up to four times faster than Wi-Fi 6E.

Apple's Wi-Fi chip is distinct from the C1 modem chip that Apple debuted in the iPhone 16e on Wednesday. However, it is believed that Apple wants to combine these into a single component. Ultimately, the goal is to create a wireless setup where the components are tightly integrated and more energy efficient, allowing Apple to cut down on the battery use of cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth technologies.

Article Link: Kuo: All iPhone 17 Models Will Feature Apple-Designed Wi-Fi Chip to 'Enhance Connectivity'

 

[turbineseaplane]

Interesting

They must be very confident with what they are seeing in testing

Sounds good to me!

 

[Kylo83]

what about modem chip like the 6e

 

[abatabia]

If it’s half as good as the M chips count me happy.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Will we see a reduce price for the devices…. Thought not

 

[Realityck]

No negatives with that switch from Broadcom, We can also compare performance.

 

[Veinticinco]

“…while also giving Apple a cost reduction.”

Which naturally, will be passed onto customers 🙄

 

[dannyyankou]

Between the C1 chip and Apple-designed WiFi chip, I think we’re going to be really surprised at the battery life the 17 Air gets. One thing Apple does really well is they design very power-efficient chips without sacrificing performance.

 

[Anonymous123]

Seeing how Apple’s C1 5G modem in the iPhone 16e lacks mmWave, I’d be hesitant to call this an “enhancement” until we see its full capabilities. I’d love to be wrong but I think a fair dose of skepticism is warranted until more info about the Wi-Fi chip is revealed.

 

[dannyyankou]

“…while also giving Apple a cost reduction.”

Which naturally, will be passed onto customers 🙄

lol, to be fair I’m sure they spent a lot on R&D with them. But they’ll make that money back.

 

[roncron]

So much for the gradual roll-out. Apple must be pretty confident about these new wifi chips.

 

[neuropsychguy]

Will we see a reduce price for the devices…. Thought not

Or, will doing this allow Apple to save costs and not raise prices? Apple keeps margins relatively high. That's how it's functioned as a company since it was founded[1]. Electronics do not always go against broader inflation trends -- meaning they do not always get cheaper over time, although they are at least quite insensitive to inflation. By integrating components, it's possible this will save Apple money over time, which might allow Apple to keep the same prices where otherwise Apple might raise prices to maintain margins. In other words, Apple is lowering prices relative to or factoring in inflation.

People can dislike Apple's approach to margins, but that's what Apple has done since its beginning. If consumers are not comfortable with that approach, they can buy other products.

[1]. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arch...d-apple/6a05586d-f3de-4991-b0bb-944ac59ee44e/

 

[dwaltwhit]

Will we see a reduce price for the devices…. Thought not

No, but we will likely see costs stay consistently the same despite inflation

 

[winxmac]

Will the savings lead to 256GB base storage for all Q3/Q4 2025 models?

 

[minik]

In this case, please re-introduce the AirPort line up.

 

[dannyyankou]

No, but we will likely see costs stay consistently the same despite inflation

And this is a fair point. Flash storage prices are rising again. And not to get political, but there’s new tariffs on China will undoubtedly make it more expensive to produce it.

 

[BorisDG]

Cool and scary at the same time. Good I'm going for 18 Pro, where most of the issues will be fixed. It seems 17 will be experimental, just like the 16e.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

the battery improvements on those apple modems look insane

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Cool and scary at the same time. Good I'm going for 18 Pro, where most of the issues will be fixed. It seems 17 will be experimental, just like the 16e.

No more than the M1 Macs and that turned out fine. First-generation is not always doom & gloom.

 

[Delgibbons]

Apple will use its own custom-designed Wi-Fi chip in all upcoming iPhone 17 models, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Writing in a post on X (Twitter), Kuo said the switch to in-house Wi-Fi chips will "enhance connectivity across Apple devices" while also giving Apple a cost reduction.

All current iPhone models are equipped with a combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip supplied by Broadcom, but Kuo has previously said he expects Apple to equip "nearly all" of its products with its own in-house Wi-Fi chip "within about three years."

Kuo in October predicted that at least one iPhone 17 model launching next year will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip. In the previous report, Kuo said Apple's chip would support "the latest Wi-Fi 7 spec," but he did not provide any further details, and his latest post does not mention a Wi-Fi version number.

All four iPhone 16 models already support Wi-Fi 7 with Broadcom's chip, but they have some limited specifications.

Jeff Pu, another analyst who covers companies within Apple's supply chain, said in November 2024 that only the iPhone 17 Pro models will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip, but Apple's plans may have changed since then.

With Wi-Fi 7 support, iPhone 17 models could leverage the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously when paired with a compatible router, enhancing data transfer speeds, reducing latency, and improving overall connection stability. Qualcomm states that Wi-Fi 7 can achieve peak speeds exceeding 40 Gbps, making it up to four times faster than Wi-Fi 6E.

Apple's Wi-Fi chip is distinct from the C1 modem chip that Apple debuted in the iPhone 16e on Wednesday. However, it is believed that Apple wants to combine these into a single component. Ultimately, the goal is to create a wireless setup where the components are tightly integrated and more energy efficient, allowing Apple to cut down on the battery use of cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth technologies.

Article Link: Kuo: All iPhone 17 Models Will Feature Apple-Designed Wi-Fi Chip to 'Enhance Connectivity'

You’re Wi-Fi’ing it wrong……

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

Apple will use its own custom-designed Wi-Fi chip in all upcoming iPhone 17 models, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Writing in a post on X (Twitter), Kuo said the switch to in-house Wi-Fi chips will "enhance connectivity across Apple devices" while also giving Apple a cost reduction.

All current iPhone models are equipped with a combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip supplied by Broadcom, but Kuo has previously said he expects Apple to equip "nearly all" of its products with its own in-house Wi-Fi chip "within about three years."

Kuo in October predicted that at least one iPhone 17 model launching next year will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip. In the previous report, Kuo said Apple's chip would support "the latest Wi-Fi 7 spec," but he did not provide any further details, and his latest post does not mention a Wi-Fi version number.

All four iPhone 16 models already support Wi-Fi 7 with Broadcom's chip, but they have some limited specifications.

Jeff Pu, another analyst who covers companies within Apple's supply chain, said in November 2024 that only the iPhone 17 Pro models will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip, but Apple's plans may have changed since then.

With Wi-Fi 7 support, iPhone 17 models could leverage the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously when paired with a compatible router, enhancing data transfer speeds, reducing latency, and improving overall connection stability. Qualcomm states that Wi-Fi 7 can achieve peak speeds exceeding 40 Gbps, making it up to four times faster than Wi-Fi 6E.

Apple's Wi-Fi chip is distinct from the C1 modem chip that Apple debuted in the iPhone 16e on Wednesday. However, it is believed that Apple wants to combine these into a single component. Ultimately, the goal is to create a wireless setup where the components are tightly integrated and more energy efficient, allowing Apple to cut down on the battery use of cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth technologies.

Article Link: Kuo: All iPhone 17 Models Will Feature Apple-Designed Wi-Fi Chip to 'Enhance Connectivity'

Thanks, captain obvious

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think Apple is working on a chipset that combines WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6, and UWB support together. That will allow for a smaller PCB board inside the iPhone, freeing up space for an even larger battery pack.

 

[JamesMcFlyJR]

Between the C1 chip and Apple-designed WiFi chip, I think we’re going to be really surprised at the battery life the 17 Air gets. One thing Apple does really well is they design very power-efficient chips without sacrificing performance.

Hopefully we see those silicon-carbon batteries that android phones have been coming out with. Those batteries would be prefect for the 17 Air since they pack more energy density in a same or smaller battery size

 

[JustMarco]

Will we see a reduce price for the devices…. Thought not

i mean.. first iPhone in 2007 was 499 dollar (corrected for inflation 760 dollar), iPhone 16e introduced yesterday 599 dollar so you get so much more phone for 160 dollar less. Not bad huh?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Hopefully we see those silicon-carbon batteries that android phones have been coming out with. Those batteries would be prefect for the 17 Air since they pack more energy density in a same or smaller battery size

Sounds like something Apple invented

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