Apple’s shift to in-house Wi-Fi 7 technology set to launch with iPhone 17

Apple is expected to debut its own Wi-Fi 7 chip with the iPhone 17, which is likely to launch in fall 2025. This information comes from trusted Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The tech giant plans to replace the current Broadcom Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip with its own, specially crafted for next-generation speed and performance.

Apple’s Wi-Fi 7 chip will be produced using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) advanced 7-nanometer process. By switching to in-house Wi-Fi chips, Apple aims to reduce supply chain costs, increase profits, and maintain better control over its hardware components.

Alongside the Wi-Fi chip, Apple is developing its own 5G modem, though this will be a separate component from the Wi-Fi 7 chip. This new 5G modem is expected to start appearing in Apple products gradually over the coming years, with the first to feature it being the next version of the iPhone SE. However, this iPhone SE model will still use a Broadcom Wi-Fi chip, as the transition to Apple’s own Wi-Fi components will be phased in.

Apple’s shift to in-house Wi-Fi and 5G chips highlights its focus on becoming more self-reliant, allowing for faster technology development and potentially better integration within its devices. Over the next few years, Apple plans to equip almost all its devices with its custom Wi-Fi solution, streamlining its ecosystem and potentially enhancing device performance across the board.