Apple's Homemade Wi-Fi Chip Could Debut Next Year, Potentially in iPads

Apple's Homemade Wi-Fi Chip Could Debut Next Year, Potentially in iPadsAccording to Taiwan industry publication DigiTimes, Apple's rumored in-house Wi-Fi chip could debut in devices as early as next year. The report, citing sources within Apple's supply chain, indicates that select new iPad models launched in 2025 might feature the Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip

Apple's Homemade Wi-Fi Chip Could Debut Next Year, Potentially in iPads

According to Taiwan industry publication DigiTimes, Apple's rumored in-house Wi-Fi chip could debut in devices as early as next year. The report, citing sources within Apple's supply chain, indicates that select new iPad models launched in 2025 might feature the Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip. However, they anticipate a possible rollout for the iPhone 18 series in 2026.

Apple's plan to design its own Wi-Fi chip was first reported in 2021, suggesting the project has been in development for some time. While the exact benefits of an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip remain unclear, it represents a move toward greater component autonomy and a reduction in reliance on Broadcom, Apple's current supplier for Wi-Fi chips.

All four iPhone 16 models support Wi-Fi 7, touted to be four times faster than Wi-Fi 6E. It's worth noting that Wi-Fi 7-capable routers are also required.

Similarly, Apple's first devices to feature its in-house 5G chips are also rumored to launch next year, including the new iPhone SE and a tentatively named iPhone 17 Air. This chip would free Apple from its current 5G chip supplier, Qualcomm.

Apple has been steadily decreasing its reliance on third-party suppliers by designing more core components in-house, such as processors, memory, and displays. This development of a homemade Wi-Fi chip aligns with Apple's ongoing push for greater autonomy in the chip space.

However, Apple has not commented on the report, and specific timelines and specifications are yet to be confirmed.

It's noteworthy that Apple possesses significant experience in designing and manufacturing chips, with its M-series chips surpassing traditional processors in terms of performance and energy efficiency. Therefore, an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip has the potential to bring optimized performance, improved power consumption, and new features and experiences to future devices.

On the other hand, there are inherent risks associated with Apple designing new chips, including development costs, production efficiency, and compatibility. Additionally, Broadcom, the current Wi-Fi chip supplier, has accumulated years of experience and technological advantages.

Ultimately, the success of Apple's homemade Wi-Fi chip hinges upon its actual performance and market reception.