Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 17 series is slated for a fall 2025 release and may come with a significant change: an Apple-designed WiFi 7 chip, marking a shift from their long-time supplier, Broadcom. This development, revealed by Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, points to Apple’s continued push toward in-house chip development to streamline supply and control costs.
Historically, Broadcom has supplied Apple with top-notch WiFi and Bluetooth chips. However, by bringing the WiFi 7 chip production in-house, Apple is aiming for greater control over its supply chain and a reduction in supplier dependency—similar to its recent development of a proprietary 5G modem for the iPhone SE 4. Apple’s new WiFi 7 chip, built on TSMC’s 7nm node, could potentially roll out to all Apple devices within the next three years.
While this first-generation chip may raise concerns about performance stability, Apple’s commitment to quality control means users can likely expect high performance and reliability. The shift to in-house technology will also balance Apple’s profit margins, given that outsourcing can be costly.
Alongside this, the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature Apple’s A18 chip paired with its in-house 5G modem but may still retain Broadcom’s WiFi chip for now, marking a gradual transition across its product lineup. This could be a promising move for Apple as it continues to streamline its tech supply chain with proprietary components.
Stay tuned for further updates as we approach the anticipated release of Apple’s iPhone 17 series!
