New iPads in 2025 Rumored to Feature Apple-Designed Wi-Fi Chip

Apple's rumored in-house Wi-Fi chip might debut in devices as early as next year, according to Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes.

Apple Wi Fi Chip Feature Triad
The report cites insiders from Apple's supply chain who suggested that at least some new iPad models launching in 2025 might be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip, although they said there is a chance that the chip might not debut until the iPhone 18 series in 2026. Apple's plans to design its own Wi-Fi chip were first reported in 2021, so the project has seemingly been in development for quite some time now.

While it is unclear if an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip would have any consumer benefits, it would allow the company to reduce its reliance on its current Wi-Fi chip supplier Broadcom, as part of Apple's effort to design more components in house.

All four iPhone 16 models support Wi-Fi 7, which is advertised as being up to 4× as fast as Wi-Fi 6E. A router with Wi-Fi 7 is also required.

Similarly, the first devices with an Apple-designed 5G chip are rumored to launch next year, including a new iPhone SE and the tentatively-named iPhone 17 Air. This chip would allow Apple to move away from its current 5G chip supplier Qualcomm.

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Top Rated Comments

efktd Avatar
22 weeks ago
Now, bring back the Airport team.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
t0rqx Avatar
22 weeks ago
Cancelled my cancelled my preorder, i do not want to be a beta tester.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iMac The Knife Avatar
22 weeks ago
Hopefully Apple knocks it out of the park on this one. Otherwise, it is going to be a **** show of epic proportions.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SMH4KIDIOT Avatar
22 weeks ago

No you haven’t.
Apple has never made chips like this before.
You could be thinking of previous occasions when Apple used two separate chip manufacturers, but Apple themselves was not one of them.
Apple used Intel designed modem then bought the IP and team that designed it. I think that's what they are getting at.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
The Cockney Rebel Avatar
22 weeks ago
Next chip/spec/etc,

Forget it.

Just enjoy what you have now, or you will never be happy.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ggibson913 Avatar
22 weeks ago
This rumor is why I order the iPhone 16. Been here before with Apple Chip, it was terrible as compared to the Qualcomm one.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)