Apple Introduces Custom Wi-Fi Chip for All iPhone 17 Models Except iPhone 17 Air, Initiating Transition to Custom Wireless Silicon with C1

Apple’s Transition to In-House Wireless Solutions: The iPhone 17 and Beyond

Apple’s move to integrate the C1 5G modem in the upcoming iPhone 16e marks a significant milestone in the company’s ambition to develop proprietary wireless technology, thereby minimizing reliance on external suppliers like Qualcomm. As we eagerly await the iPhone 17’s debut later this year, new reports suggest that while the forthcoming four models may not come equipped with their own baseband chips, Apple plans to unveil its first custom Wi-Fi chip across the lineup.

Custom Chip Expected in All iPhone 17 Models with Wi-Fi 7 Support

According to MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu from GF Securities has indicated in a recent research note that a significant hardware upgrade is on the horizon for the iPhone 17 series. The introduction of a custom Wi-Fi chip for all four models marks a pioneering step for Apple, as it will be the first instance of the company deploying an in-house wireless solution. Although the precise version of the wireless chip remains undisclosed, it is a logical assumption that, given the iPhone 16 models already support a Wi-Fi 7 adapter, this new chip will follow suit.

Regarding the iPhone 17 Air, Pu has refrained from confirming whether this particular model will feature the new custom Wi-Fi 7 chip. There’s a possibility it may only include a custom 5G modem, making it distinct from the other models. Transitioning to a custom Wi-Fi 7 chip could significantly lessen Apple’s dependence on Broadcom, enhancing the iPhone 17 series’ battery efficiency.

Questions Surrounding 5G Modem Integration in iPhone 17

With claims that the iPhone 16e offers superior battery life compared to any prior 6.1-inch iPhone—thanks to the efficient C1 modem—it raises the question: Why won’t this technology feature in the iPhone 17’s architecture? The likely explanation lies in the C1’s absence of mmWave support, which might categorize this in-house 5G modem as a lower-tier option. Nonetheless, even if the iPhone 17 models forego custom baseband silicon, reports suggest that Apple is actively testing the C2 modem, which could potentially include mmWave capabilities.

Looking Ahead: iPhone 18 and Future Developments

Unfortunately, it appears the C2 modem may not debut until the iPhone 18’s release. By that time, Apple could not only introduce a custom Wi-Fi 7 chip across various devices but also utilize its proprietary 5G modem in its lineup. This evolution in wireless technology exemplifies Apple’s commitment to innovation and poses exciting prospects for the future of its devices.

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