Apple plans to replace your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chips with its own

In December 2024, Apple is expected to introduce its own wireless modem chips by 2025, marking a significant shift in its reliance on third-party providers. A new report suggests that the first Apple-designed wireless modem may debut with a refreshed iPhone SE, showing a strategic approach to lessen dependency on Qualcomm, the industry's current leader in cellular modems. This transition is also seen as a move to enhance performance and integration within its hardware ecosystem, as Apple has been developing in-house solutions for its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections as well. The initial modem, however, is reported to be less advanced than Qualcomm's latest offerings, featuring limitations in aspects like handling higher-frequency 5G spectrum and a decrease in carrier aggregation capabilities. Despite this, Apple aims for the modem to achieve substantial download speeds, reportedly capping at about 4 gigabits per second under lab conditions. The real-world performance may differ, but even moderate levels of bandwidth are likely sufficient for general user needs, including streaming and social media. Furthermore, the stakes are high for Apple to develop a reliable modem, especially considering the lessons learned from the notorious "antennagate" incident associated with the iPhone 4. This earlier failure due to connectivity issues had significant implications for the brand, highlighting the importance of robust wireless technology. To mitigate risks with the new modem's introduction, industry analysts suggest starting with less risky devices like the iPhone SE or iPad Mini. This way, Apple can gather real-world data to address any potential bugs before affecting its flagship products. Apple's broader plan includes a commitment to replacing third-party technologies with custom solutions across all its products, enhancing performance while providing the flexibility to implement advanced features, such as artificial intelligence algorithms. As Apple accelerates its efforts toward self-sufficiency in hardware, the anticipated rollout of its in-house Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip, codename Proxima, alongside these modem chips signals a new chapter in the company’s quest to control more of its technology stack.