Ookla discloses that Apple’s latest N1 chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity has enhanced the internet speeds of the iPhone 17 in comparison to the iPhone 16 and various high-end Android devices. According to Ookla, the median download and upload speeds on the N1 were each up to 40% greater on the iPhone 17.
What stands out in the report is that, on paper, Apple’s N1 chip and Broadcom’s Wi-Fi components were comparable, notwithstanding the upgrade from Bluetooth 5.3 to Bluetooth 6. However, Apple’s more refined hardware-software integration allows the N1 chip to excel on the iPhone, not just for functionalities like AirDrop and Personal Hotspot, but also in enhancing Wi-Fi speeds.
Initially, Ookla suggested that the increase in Wi-Fi speed on the iPhone 17 might have been linked to more developed markets having superior Wi-Fi networks, thus explaining why the new iPhones have faster speeds than their predecessors. Nevertheless, the reliability observed over the past few weeks led the company to conclude that Apple’s N1 chip represents a substantial advancement over the prior generation.
Based on Ookla’s Speedtest evaluation, the iPhone 17 series exhibited enhanced download and upload speeds on Wi-Fi compared to the iPhone 16 across all markets. The global median download speed of 329.56 Mbps was 40% higher than that of the iPhone 16 series, which recorded 236.46 Mbps. Median upload speeds for the iPhone 17 models have also increased from 73.68 Mbps to 103.26 Mbps.
In addition, the N1 chip seems to provide a more stable experience across a broader array of devices, even under difficult Wi-Fi conditions. Ookla notes that North American users are experiencing the highest download speeds at 416.14 Mbps (vs
