iPhone 17: Apple uses its own Wi-Fi 7 chip Apfelpatient for the first time

Apple is pursuing a new strategy with the iPhone 17: The company is developing its own Wi-Fi 7 chip and installing it in all four models of the next iPhone generation. This represents Apple's further move toward independence from suppliers like Broadcom and Qualcomm. The chip promises higher speeds, lower latency, and a more stable connection. The entire iPhone 16 series already supports Wi-Fi 7, but by developing it in-house, Apple could further optimize performance.

Apple has already proven in the past that in-house hardware development can make a big difference. The switch to Apple Silicon in its Mac models demonstrated how well hardware and software can be coordinated. Now Apple is continuing this path in the area of wireless communications. According to analyst Jeff Pu, the new Wi-Fi 7 chip was already completed in the first half of 2024 and is expected to be used in the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Apple's Wi-Fi 7 chip: Another step towards independence

According to Pu, the new Wi-Fi 7 chip will be installed in upcoming iPhone models this year. Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also confirms these plans. This continues Apple's strategy of becoming less dependent on third-party suppliers. With the iPhone 16e, the company already introduced its own C1 modem for mobile connections such as 5G and LTE. Developing Wi-Fi chips in-house is a logical next step. Moving away from external suppliers such as Broadcom has several advantages. Apple can better tailor the performance of the chips to its own devices, better control potential security vulnerabilities, and save costs in the long term. It also makes Apple less dependent on external market and production fluctuations (via GF Securities).

What does Wi-Fi 7 bring to the iPhone 17?

Wi-Fi 7 is the latest Wi-Fi standard and brings several improvements. It uses three frequency bands simultaneously—2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz—resulting in faster speeds and more stable connections. The key benefits:

Higher data rates: Theoretically, over 40 Gbps are possible, which is four times faster than Wi-Fi 6E.
Lower latency: This is especially noticeable in online gaming and video conferencing.
More stable connections: By using multiple bands simultaneously, there are fewer delays and connection drops.

Since the entire iPhone 16 series already supports Wi-Fi 7, the new chip isn't a big surprise. What's crucial, however, is that Apple is now developing the technology itself, thus integrating it even more tightly into its own hardware.

Which iPhone 17 models will receive the new chip?

The new Wi-Fi 7 chip is installed in all four models of the iPhone 17:

iPhone 17: The standard model with all the essential innovations
iPhone 17 Air: A lighter model with a sleek design
iPhone 17 Pro: The powerful version for demanding users
iPhone 17 Pro Max: The top model with the best hardware

The iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in about six months.

Apple relies on in-house development: The new Wi-Fi 7 chip in the iPhone 17

With its own Wi-Fi 7 chip, Apple is taking another step toward independence from third-party providers. The new chip will be installed in all four iPhone 17 models and promises faster connections, lower latency, and overall more stable Wi-Fi performance. The company is thus continuing its strategy of developing more key technologies in-house and optimizing control over hardware and software. Anyone interested in the iPhone 17 can therefore expect not only improved Wi-Fi performance, but also an even more seamless Apple ecosystem. (Photo by Unsplash+ / Getty Images)