iPhone 17 lineup predicted to use custom Apple Wi-Fi chip
Apple has been predicted to debut a custom Wi-Fi chip across this year’s iPhone 17 lineup, and it’s expected to offer enhanced connectivity and other perks.
The new iPhone 16e uses Apple’s in-house designed cellular modem chip, dubbed the C1, which has supplanted Qualcomm’s 5G modem, but the company isn’t stopping there. According to reliable industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, all of the iPhone models coming down the pike this year will switch from a combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip supplied by Broadcom to a custom Apple part, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and the rumored slim model.
Kuo explains that the move will enhance connectivity features across Apple devices and save money compared to buying off-the-shelf components. If the Apple C1 modem in the iPhone 16e is an indication, Apple’s custom Wi-Fi silicon will be optimized for power efficiency and contribute to longer battery life.
Kuo: iPhone 17 lineup to use custom Apple Wi-Fi chip
“Following Qualcomm, Broadcom’s Wi-Fi chips will also be replaced by Apple’s in-house chips at a faster pace,” Kuo wrote on his X account. “My latest industry survey indicates that all new iPhone 17 models will feature Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chips,” he continued. “Beyond cost reduction, the switch to in-house Wi-Fi chips will enhance connectivity across Apple devices.”
He provided no details how the rumored Wi-Fi chip “will enhance connectivity across Apple devices.” One can easily imagine improvements like more reliable wireless connections with fewer signal drops and improved data transfer speeds.
Dropping Broadcom will also benefit Apple financially, given Broadcom supplies Apple with over 300 million Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips per year.
Following Qualcomm, Broadcom’s Wi-Fi chips will also be replaced by Apple’s in-house chips at a faster pace. My latest industry survey indicates that all new 2H25 iPhone 17 models will feature Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chips (vs. only the slim iPhone 17 will adopt Apple’s C1 modem…
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) February 20, 2025
Kuo first mentioned the possibility of a custom Apple Wi-Fi chip for some upcoming iPhones in October 2024, writing that the chip would support the latest Wi-Fi 7 specification and be manufactured using TSMC’s N7 process technology.
Slim iPhone 17 should have great battery life
Apple’s silion leadership is a gift that keeps on giving. The latest example is the company’s C1 modem chip, utilized in the new iPhone 16e which Apple calls “the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone.” Thanks to the C1, the new phone has the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone.
Broadcom currently supplies over 300 million Wi-Fi+BT chips (hereafter referred to as Wi-Fi chips) per year to Apple. However, Apple will rapidly reduce its reliance on Broadcom. With new products in 2H25 (e.g., iPhone 17), Apple plans to use its own Wi-Fi chips, which will be…
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) October 31, 2024
According to the iPhone 16e tech specs, the handset provides up to 26 hours of battery life for video playback, four hours more than the standard iPhone 16. Based on this, we can expect the C1-equipped slim iPhone 17 to have great battery life.
A chip with 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS capabilities
It’s safe to speculate that Apple will eventually merge those two chips into an all-in-one chip providing connectivity with 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS capabilities. Ultimately, Apple might integrate them into its system-on-a-chip, which comprises the CPU, GPU, unified memory, Neural Engine, media codecs, machine learning accelerators and other components on a single silicon die.
In 2023, Apple and Broadcom announced a multiyear agreement to develop 5G radio frequency components in the United States. In 2019, Apple acquired Intel’s modem design group for $1 billion. The company started working on its smartphone modem chip the following year. In 2012, the Cupertino firm hired dozens of former Texas Instruments engineers to help it develop wireless technologies at its Israel facility.
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