# Apple’s Custom Wi-Fi Chip: A Revolutionary Step for Upcoming iPhones
Apple has consistently been recognized for its strategy of vertical integration, where it designs both hardware and software to ensure an uninterrupted user experience. Over time, Apple has progressively diminished its dependence on outside suppliers by creating its own custom chips, including the A-series processors for iPhones and the M-series chips for Macs. Now, it appears that Apple is pursuing a notable advancement by developing its own dedicated Wi-Fi chip, anticipated to launch with the **iPhone 17** series, expected in 2025.
## Apple’s Shift from Broadcom
As per well-known analyst **Ming-Chi Kuo**, Apple has been engaged in the development of a custom Wi-Fi chip for several years. At present, **Broadcom** provides over 300 million Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips to Apple every year. However, with the advent of the iPhone 17, Apple aims to implement its own Wi-Fi chips, which will be produced using **TSMC’s N7 technology** and will comply with the latest **Wi-Fi 7** standards.
This change is part of Apple’s wider aim to lessen its reliance on outside suppliers and take more command over its hardware ecosystem. Kuo forecasts that by late 2028, nearly all of Apple’s products will include in-house Wi-Fi chips. This shift is projected to **lower costs** and further improve Apple’s advantages in **ecosystem integration**, enabling the company to enhance performance and energy efficiency across its devices.
## What is Wi-Fi 7?
Wi-Fi 7, also referred to as **802.11be**, represents the next evolution of Wi-Fi technology that offers major enhancements in speed, latency, and capacity compared to its predecessor, Wi-Fi 6. Some of the pivotal features of Wi-Fi 7 include:
– **Increased Speeds**: Wi-Fi 7 is anticipated to provide speeds of up to **46 Gbps**, nearly quadrupling the speed of Wi-Fi 6.
– **Reduced Latency**: This improvement will be especially advantageous for applications such as online gaming, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), where rapid responsiveness is essential.
– **Enhanced Capacity**: Wi-Fi 7 will accommodate a larger number of devices on the same network without sacrificing performance, making it perfect for smart homes and IoT (Internet of Things) setups.
By incorporating Wi-Fi 7, Apple’s future iPhones could achieve **incredible internet speeds**, seamless streaming, and superior connectivity, particularly in busy places like airports or sporting venues.
## The Potential Effect on iPhone Design and Performance
One of the most thrilling prospects of Apple’s custom Wi-Fi chip is its capacity to enhance **battery longevity** and facilitate **slimmer designs** for future iPhones. By crafting its own Wi-Fi chip, Apple can optimize its performance in conjunction with the iPhone’s other elements, such as the A-series processors and the cellular modem. This could result in considerable energy savings, enabling upcoming iPhones to operate longer on a single charge.
Moreover, Apple’s proprietary Wi-Fi chip could allow the company to produce even **thinner and lighter** iPhones. Speculation indicates that Apple is developing an ultra-slim iPhone variant, potentially named the **iPhone 17 Air** or **iPhone 17 Slim**, to succeed the current Plus model. This device is predicted to boast a **single rear camera**, a **new A19 chip**, and a **distinct design** that differentiates it from other iPhone versions.
If Apple effectively integrates its custom Wi-Fi chip into this ultra-thin iPhone, it could significantly influence both its design and performance. The iPhone 17 Air/Slim could present a **sleeker design** without any drawbacks in connectivity or battery longevity.
## The Path to a Custom Cellular Modem
Apple’s aspirations extend beyond Wi-Fi chips. The company is also said to be developing a **custom cellular modem**, which could be featured in the **iPhone SE 4** as soon as 2025. Although Apple has relied on **Qualcomm** modems for its iPhones, it has been working on its cellular modem for several years.
The ultimate aim is to create a **single chip** that consolidates **Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular** functions, which would further simplify the internal components of the iPhone and enhance energy efficiency. However, producing a custom cellular modem is a challenging endeavor, and it remains uncertain whether Apple will be able to completely move away from Qualcomm soon.
For now, it seems that Apple will commence by introducing its custom cellular modem in the iPhone SE 4, a more budget-friendly model, before expanding it to the leading iPhone series. This cautious methodology will enable Apple to assess and refine its modem technology prior to a broader rollout.
