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Apple is switching over to a new Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip that it designed in-house starting in 2025, reports Bloomberg. The combined Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip will replace components from Broadcom, allowing Apple to reduce its reliance on the company.

Apple-Wi-Fi-Modem-Feature-Triad.jpg

The chip, referred to as "Proxima" internally, will be introduced in Apple products starting in 2025. It will come to the iPhone 17 models, the Apple TV, and HomePod mini to begin with, and to the iPad and the Mac in 2026.

Apple's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip is distinct from the 5G modem chip that Apple is also designing, but eventually, Apple wants to combine these into a single component. The overarching goal is to create a wireless setup where the components are tightly integrated and more energy efficient, allowing Apple to cut down on the battery use of cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth technologies.

Apple will also be able to create thinner devices and new wearable technology with the custom chips that it is creating.

Like Qualcomm, Broadcom is a company that has long supplied components to Apple for its devices. Apple does not want to continue to rely so heavily on parts from either Qualcomm or Broadcom, and it will also start phasing out Qualcomm modems in 2025. The iPhone SE, low-end iPad, and iPhone 17 Air are set to adopt Apple's custom 5G modem.

Apple won't be able to stop using components from Broadcom entirely, and it will still use a Broadcom-designed radio frequency filter for modems. Apple is also working with Broadcom on future cloud server chips.

Article Link: Apple Adopting Custom-Designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Chip in 2025, Cutting Reliance on Broadcom
 
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I bought a new MacBook and new iPhone this year. I plan on riding out these chip transitions and not upgrading either again till 2029-2031...and skipping the possible (probable) tariffs.

The more new I see news like this, the further that date gets pushed away.
 
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I don’t see how you can totally cut out those companies. They have patents and technologies that are necessary to communication.
well you start by buying up intel's wireless division.

Cutting costs

...and not to pass on any savings to you and me

The devices get more battery life, thinner, etc. This is not just about costs but what they want to do with the product.

-d
 
They do?
They aren't even out yet are they?

Do any of these devices need to get thinner anyhow?

The iPhone still has (and probably always will) a massive camera wart on it anyhow ... so thinness at one end is sort of "meh .. whatever"

im not apple, im just stating their justifications when they bought the wireless division. You can incorporate the communication chip(s) inside the AXX/MXX meaning its on the same advanced process node and integrated in the same silicon, significantly cutting down on power consumption and size.

Apple could make the device thinner (battery as an example), or just have it last longer on existing battery. Maybe the device is a watch and not a phone so the camera bump is not a thing (as an example).

-d
 
Awesome plan! But I know there are going to be day 1 issues with such in house baked chips. Perhaps the iPhone 18 or 19, most, if not, all issues should be resolved by then.
 
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They tried it before with the Intel chips for cellular, we all know how that turned out.
 
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