Apple would halt development of its WiFi chip

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, those from Cupertino would temporarily halt development of their WiFi chip. This means that Apple’s current supplier, Broadcom, will continue to supply such components for the foreseeable future. Including, of course, those intended for the next iPhone 15 models scheduled for 2023.

Kuo explains that development of the WiFi chip has been halted because Apple wants to focus its resources elsewhere. In particular, on advanced 3-nanometer chips that will be used in future iPhones and other devices. Thus, the analyst claims that this is an “insufficient development resource” delays not only the mass production of the 5G chip, but also the WiFi chip..

According to Kuo, Apple originally had the idea to develop a chip just for WiFi connectivity. However, at some point they changed to chip that combines WiFi connection with Bluetooth, something more complex in design. For this reason, it is more difficult for Cupertians to combine both technologies under one component, which at the same time makes it impossible for them to replace their own Broadcom.

Specifically, Apple’s previous design was a WiFi-only chip, not a Bluetooth combination. From a design point of view, developing a WiFi+Bluetooth chip is more difficult than a WiFi-only chip.

Ming Chi Kuo

Apple is not going to stop: their mission is still to design all houses

Apple has been developing its own A processors for its iPhone and iPad line of devices for years. Recently, a couple of years ago, they began to enter the world of computers with their SoC M, offering incredible results. However, the company’s plans seem to go much further, and the next chips to be replaced will be connection chips.

In early January of this year, Mark Gurman from bloomberg, shared the news that Apple is working on a chip that combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. Thus, representatives of Cupertino hope to replace Broadcom components. Here Gurman pointed out that Apple’s ultimate goal was to move to its own chips. This will happen starting in 2024 and will replace parts of Broadcom at some point in 2025.

Of course, this WiFi and Bluetooth chip is independent of the 5G modem chip that Apple is also developing. However, both have the same goal – to replace Qualcomm and Broadcom technologies. But what does Apple hope to achieve by getting rid of most of its suppliers? It is most logical to think that by producing important components of iPhones in-house, can reduce their dependence on third-party companies.

However, it doesn’t seem like it will be soon. In addition, Ming-Chi Kuo believes that over the next two to three years it will be risky for Apple to use its own Wi-Fi chips due to the emergence of new standards. At that time, Analyst sees Apple starting to roll out WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 chips from Broadcom on your devices.