Apple is a company that loves to be self-reliant. Wherever possible, the company tries to make its own hardware and software. It’s actually pretty smart because for one, Apple does not have to be at the mercy of its suppliers. Secondly, it allows for better optimization. This is why it didn’t really come as a complete surprise to learn that Apple has included a new N1 chip in its latest iPhone 17 series .
iPhone 17 lineup features new N1 chip
So, what is the N1 chip in the new iPhone 17 , and what does it do? According to Apple, the N1 is a networking chip. It supports a variety of connectivity options such as WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.
Now, Apple’s products and pretty much every modern day mobile device supports connectivity such as WiFi and Bluetooth. However, the main difference is that Apple is consolidating all those features into a single N1 chip. This also means that Apple does not have to rely on third-party companies, such as Broadcom, who previously supplied Apple with the necessary components for wireless connectivity.
Also, like we mention earlier, Apple loves doing everything in-house. Creating the N1 chip means that Apple has greater control over how iOS and the iPhone’s hardware interacts with each other. On paper, it should be more reliable and efficient. However, we don’t know what the real-world situation is like yet.
That being said, the iPhone 16 models already support WiFi 7. However, Bluetooth 6 is an upgrade for the iPhone 17 series. It boasts less interference in crowded areas and better overall efficiency. The Thread support also means that Apple’s iPhone 17 models will be able to directly control Thread-enabled smart home devices.
Apple’s other networking ambitions
2025 feels like the year Apple is showing off its in-house connectivity hardware. Earlier this year, the iPhone 16e was announced. The iPhone 16e was also the first iPhone that uses Apple’s C1 modem.
Initial reports suggest that the C1 still falls short compared to Qualcomm’s modems. This is why Apple used it for the lower-end iPhone 16e. However, Apple is working on an updated model. We imagine that given enough time, Apple’s own modems should be more on par with the competition.
