Apple's iPhone 17 to Feature Proprietary Wi-Fi 7 Chip

Apple is poised to introduce its own Wi-Fi 7 chip in the upcoming iPhone 17, marking a significant step in the company's efforts to enhance its hardware capabilities. This development follows the recent introduction of Apple's first modem chip, the C1, and signals the tech giant's increasing focus on in-house chip production.

Rumors had circulated that the iPhone 16e might come equipped with an Apple-designed Bluetooth or Wi-Fi chip, but these speculations were not substantiated at the product launch. Instead, the iPhone 16e is expected to utilize an older Broadcom chip, supporting Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO. Bluetooth functionality will continue with support up to version 5.3, similar to the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models.

Market analyst Jeff Pu from GF Securities has indicated that the iPhone 17, which includes standard, Air, Pro, and Pro Max variants, will showcase the first integration of Apple's proprietary Wi-Fi 7 technology. This advancement aligns with earlier predictions by Ming-Chi Kuo, another well-regarded analyst in the field.

The decision to incorporate an Apple-designed Wi-Fi module in the iPhone 17 presents several potential advantages for the company. By reducing reliance on external suppliers, Apple can achieve closer integration between its hardware and software. This integration could enable faster adaptations to emerging technology standards.

As for the iPhone 16e, it is confirmed that it will not support the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, suggesting that Apple is reserving this feature for its next-generation devices. The iPhone 16 series will support Wi-Fi 7, likely through chips sourced from Broadcom, further emphasizing the tech giant's gradual transition toward in-house component manufacturing.

Looking ahead, there is potential for Apple to consolidate multiple functionalities into a single chip. Such a chip could combine cellular modem capabilities, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, CPU, and GPU functionalities, although this would involve overcoming significant technical challenges.

Users have long anticipated a macOS device featuring integrated 5G capabilities. Currently, the only option is to tether an iPhone as a hotspot. The advancement of Apple's chip technology could simplify this process, especially since iPads have already integrated cellular modems for years.

The anticipated introduction of a proprietary Wi-Fi 7 chip in the iPhone 17 represents a pivotal moment for Apple, as the company seeks to enhance its competitive edge in the smartphone market while simultaneously moving towards greater self-sufficiency in chip production.