Abdelrahman
Apple has officially launched the iPhone 16e, which boasts the tech giant’s first in-house developed 5G modem, replacing the Qualcomm models found in previous iPhones. The company is expected to persist in its strategy of creating key connectivity components internally, with fresh insights suggesting that the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, set to debut this fall, will include Apple’s first proprietary Wi-Fi chip.
This move marks a significant shift as it replaces the Broadcom chips currently utilized by Apple. The information comes from renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a solid track record regarding Apple’s supply chain developments in Asia. He highlights that the iPhone 17 Air will feature not only the new Apple Wi-Fi chip but also the Apple C1 modem, which was first introduced with the iPhone 16e.
In addition, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature Qualcomm modems alongside Apple’s Wi-Fi chip. This strategic decision is clearly aimed at reducing costs, as in the long term, producing these chips in-house will save Apple significant amounts currently spent on Qualcomm and Broadcom. However, Kuo emphasizes that the transition to in-house Wi-Fi technology is not solely about financial savings—the enhanced connectivity across Apple devices is also expected to improve overall user experience, though the specifics remain unclear.
