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Kuo: Apple's Upcoming 5G and Wi-Fi Chips for iPhones Are Currently Two Different Chips

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Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said that at least one iPhone 17 model launching next year will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip. For years, Apple has also been rumored to be developing its own in-house 5G chip for iPhones, and Kuo has since provided some clarification about Apple's plans.

5G-Modem-Feature-Blue.jpg

Earlier this month, 9to5Mac reported that Apple's in-house 5G chip would "also handle Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS," but Kuo disagrees. He told us that Apple's 5G and Wi-Fi chips are currently "two different chips" that will roll out in the iPhone 17 and other devices starting in the second half of 2025. Kuo said the chips will be used in devices "simultaneously." If this information is accurate, that rules out the rumored all-in-one Apple chip for 5G, Wi-Fi, and other connectivity, but that could remain a future possibility.

Kuo said the iPhone SE 4 rumored to launch in March will be equipped with an Apple-designed 5G modem, but a Broadcom-supplied Wi-Fi chip.

"Starting from 2H25, both Apple's 5G and Wi-Fi chips will gradually be used in new products simultaneously," said Kuo, in a follow-up social media post today. "However, since these are two different chips (using different TSMC processes), the early switch-over timelines will differ due to separate production schedules. For example, the iPhone SE4 will move to an Apple 5G modem but still use a Broadcom Wi-Fi chip."

Kuo also expects Apple's 5G modem to be used in the rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17 model.

Read our earlier story for more details about Apple's rumored Wi-Fi 7 chip for the iPhone 17.

Article Link: Kuo: Apple's Upcoming 5G and Wi-Fi Chips for iPhones Are Currently Two Different Chips
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/31/kuo-says-apple-5g-and-wifi-chips-are-separate/
It's expected. In current phones, they are two different chips aswell - Bluetooth + WiFi (combo) and dedicated modem. I'm excited, but also a bit worried how this goes.
 
All these parts are all likely going to be integrated together into one multi-chip module with the main CPU & Memory, likely CoWoS if they're using TSMC.
 
mozumder said:
All these parts are all likely going to be integrated together into one multi-chip module with the main CPU & Memory, likely CoWoS if they're using TSMC.
Click to expand...
I think Apple's solution will combine 3GPP NR 5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 and UWB all into a single chip. Properly implemented, that means way lower power consumption, allowing for a thinner battery on the rumored iPhone 17 "Slim" model.
 
So, nothing really new in what he is saying here…
i think apples modem will be doing just fine, likely not as high performance as the latest Qualcomm but just fine for the average consumer
 
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Heelpir8 said:
Maybe. The Intel modems weren't a fun time.
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Honestly had I not been a member here, or follow tech closely, I likely wouldn't have noticed. I am fairly confident the general public would have been in the same overall situation as well.

My 7 never let me down with getting connections when needed, and I uploaded 1000s of photos from my Digital camera through it without any issues. Knowing the tech facts, I 100% know the speeds would have been better, but overall it wasn't an un-fun experience.

Personally not a fan of any entity having too much control over one specific area of technology, this includes Apple.
 
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SactoGuy18 said:
I think Apple's solution will combine 3GPP NR 5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 and UWB all into a single chip. Properly implemented, that means way lower power consumption, allowing for a thinner battery on the rumored iPhone 17 "Slim" model.
Click to expand...
Not likely, at least not initially as some RF components do not benefit from the latest nodes compared to the modem
 
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840quadra said:
Honestly had I not been a member here, or follow tech closely, I likely wouldn't have noticed. I am fairly confident the general public would have been in the same overall situation as well.

My 7 never let me down with getting connections when needed, and I uploaded 1000s of photos from my Digital camera through it without any issues. Knowing the tech facts, I 100% know the speeds would have been better, but overall it wasn't an un-fun experience.

Personally not a fan of any entity having too much control over one specific area of technology, this includes Apple.
Click to expand...
Agree, I do not recall that whatever phone model it was with an Intel modem gave me troubles, it’s the typical overhyped MR reaction…
 
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jz0309 said:
Not likely, at least not initially as some RF components do not benefit from the latest nodes compared to the modem
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I'd almost agree, but I think Apple combining all the functionality I mentioned into a single chip is their goal. If successful, that means major power savings on the circuit board itself.
 
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gk_brown said:
Am I the only one who doesn't care who makes my phone's modem?
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I care because in the past intel modems absolutely sucked compared to qualcomm. It's a hard thing to get right, and the main purpose of a smartphone is to have good connectivity.
 
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It’s good that they are not combining everything in one chip right now, as they are the first gen apple designed modem/wifi chips and might have unanticipated delays or other teething issues.

I think once apple gets comfortable with designing these specific functions into their own chips, they will then combine these into a combo chip, or even just place everything into the a or m series apple processor chips, if it makes it easier/less expensive for them
 
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I wonder when Apple will use UWB for more than positional/angle tracking. Plans for lossless AirPod audio beyond Vision Pro are still a mystery but updated AirTags are expected next year with improved accuracy and power efficiency.
 
I guess the unified chip is still a couple of years away. Whenever it does release, it will be a game changer for battery life.
 
BorisDG said:
It's expected. In current phones, they are two different chips aswell - Bluetooth + WiFi (combo) and dedicated modem. I'm excited, but also a bit worried how this goes.
Click to expand...
in current iPhones.
Snapdragon has modem baked in. And huawei chips have both baked in the soc
 
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gk_brown said:
Am I the only one who doesn't care who makes my phone's modem?
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Most consumers don’t care. Most people have no idea what SoC their iPhone or iPad has. As long as it works they are happy.

And sometimes you have to run benchmarks to see differences, and for most people their use is such that even a slow wireless component has no impact on the experience they have.
 
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Cellular modem chips seem to be half engineering and half special sauce. Intel couldn't get the sauce right. I expect it'll take Apple some time to do it as well.

I'm guessing the average user won't notice the difference with the chip. I have more trouble with spotty cell phone coverage at the office that can't be fixed by any chip no matter who makes it. I doubt I would notice a difference.

In the end, it's the network connection that makes these devices viable and compelling. If the connection is poor, the device is for the most part useless.

It's amazing how many places my "flagship" iPhone can't get a decent signal in a major metropolitan area in the year 2024. This is primarily due to limitations on the network end and not the chip in the handset.

Did I just say handset? Someone hand me a brick phone :rolleyes:.

Yes, I'm old enough to have had a brick phone.
 
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Anaxarxes said:
You should not care. For Apple this is a huge bleed of margins (profits) going to an external supplier vs keeping it within the company.
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You should not have to care, but Intel's implementation was not very good and that's was Apple's starting point. The first generation out in the real world may face some issues despite years of development, delays, and billions invested. The next iteration, especially as Apple merges the 5G and Wi-Fi discrete chips into a single SoC, ought to be more reliable.
 
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