5G and Wi-Fi chips are being separated
For those who missed it, it has been on the agenda for a long time that Apple has been working on its own 5G modem and Wi-Fi 7 chip. Ming-Chi Kuo, one of the supply chain analysts, confirmed that “at least one iPhone 17 model will receive support from Apple’s Wi-Fi 7 chip.” Accordingly, Kuo says that Apple’s 5G and Wi-Fi chips are currently planned as “two different chips.”
These chips will be used simultaneously in the iPhone 17 and other devices from the second half of 2025. We can say that this invalidates the previously shared claim of a single chip that combines Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and 5G for now. Additionally, Kuo stated that the iPhone SE 4 model, which is expected to be released in March, will come with an Apple-designed 5G modem, but Broadcom will continue to supply the Wi-Fi chip.
Therefore, the iPhone SE 4 will only have an Apple-designed 5G modem and a Broadcom Wi-Fi chip will be used. For those who missed it, the currently available iPhone 16 models also support Wi-Fi 7 with Broadcom’s chip, but have some limitations.
Of course, none of this is confirmed at this time. However, it is clear that Apple plans to reduce its dependence on external suppliers for connection technologies.