Apple Plans to Launch In-House Wi-Fi 7 Chip with iPhone 17 in 2025

In a major shift away from third-party suppliers, Apple is reportedly planning to debut its own Wi-Fi 7 chip with the release of the iPhone 17 in 2025. According to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, this move is part of Apple’s ongoing strategy to reduce reliance on Broadcom, its current Wi-Fi chip supplier, and strengthen Apple’s ecosystem through in-house solutions.

Moving Toward Self-Sufficiency with In-House Wi-Fi Chips

Broadcom currently provides Apple with over 300 million Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips each year. However, Apple is now taking steps to transition to its own Wi-Fi technology. The new chip, expected to be manufactured by TSMC using the N7 process, will support the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, delivering faster speeds, improved efficiency, and enhanced connectivity for Apple devices.

Kuo reports that Apple plans to roll out its proprietary Wi-Fi chip to nearly all of its products over the next three years. This shift could help Apple reduce costs while allowing deeper integration within its ecosystem, enabling Apple to control more aspects of hardware development and performance optimization.

Wi-Fi 7: What’s in Store for Future iPhones?

Wi-Fi 7, the latest advancement in Wi-Fi technology, promises several benefits:

• Increased speed: With speeds reaching up to 40 Gbps, Wi-Fi 7 offers a significant upgrade over previous standards.
• Lower latency: Wi-Fi 7’s reduced latency is particularly useful for activities like gaming, streaming, and video calls, making connections smoother and more reliable.
• Better efficiency: Improved efficiency means that Wi-Fi 7 devices can handle multiple connections simultaneously without compromising performance.

By incorporating Wi-Fi 7 into its devices, Apple can offer users a more seamless, high-performance experience, enhancing everything from FaceTime calls to gaming and streaming.

Apple’s Dual In-House Strategy: Wi-Fi 7 and 5G Chips

Apple’s efforts to develop in-house connectivity solutions don’t stop at Wi-Fi. The company has also been working on its own 5G chip for some time. Rumor has it that the upcoming iPhone SE 4—expected in spring 2025—will be the first Apple device to use an in-house 5G modem. If successful, this technology may eventually replace Qualcomm’s 5G chips in iPhones, allowing Apple to have full control over both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.

Together, the introduction of proprietary Wi-Fi 7 and 5G chips marks Apple’s bold step toward self-reliance in connectivity, reducing its dependence on Broadcom and Qualcomm while further solidifying its ecosystem.

The Benefits of In-House Connectivity Solutions

By developing its own Wi-Fi and 5G chips, Apple can gain several key advantages:

• Cost savings: Apple can reduce costs by manufacturing these components in-house rather than purchasing them from suppliers.
• Improved integration: In-house chips allow for a seamless hardware-software synergy, enabling Apple to optimize performance and energy efficiency across its devices.
• Enhanced user experience: Apple’s control over its connectivity components can help improve security, speed, and reliability, ultimately benefiting the end-user.

Final Thoughts: A New Era of Apple-Controlled Connectivity

Apple’s plans to introduce an in-house Wi-Fi 7 chip with the iPhone 17 could mark a transformative shift in its approach to connectivity. By relying less on third-party suppliers, Apple gains greater control over device performance and integration, which ultimately enhances the user experience.

With a self-designed 5G modem potentially debuting on the iPhone SE 4 around the same time, 2025 could usher in a new era of Apple-made connectivity solutions across its product lineup. Stay tuned as Apple continues to innovate and shape the future of its devices.