iPhone 17 could be first iPhone ever with this new Apple component

iPhone 16 Pro (silver) and iPhone 15 Pro (blue) compared
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Apple plans to bring as much design in-house continues pace with a new report that the company will finally launch an in-house chip for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity next year.

The report comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who says that the in-house chip, dubbed Proxima, will be built by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), which makes most of Apple's chips now.

It should be noted that this is a different part and move than the recent news that Apple will roll out in-house designed modems in the next three years. However, the goal is the same as removing parts built by Broadcom and Qualcomm.

According to Gurman, unnamed sources say the company's goal is to develop an "end-to-end wireless approach" where all components are integrated and more energy-efficient.

It's speculated that Apple's tighter control over how devices connect to networks and Wi-Fi hubs will give the company more ways to alter designs, including thinner devices like the iPhone 17 Air and wearables.

Before we arrive, Apple is expected to launch a combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip in updated versions of the Apple TV set-top box and a new HomePod mini smart speaker. It may also launch in iPhones next year, with iPad and Mac getting a version in 2026.

This aligns with a report from early November claiming that the iPhone 17 would feature Apple's home-made Wi-Fi chip from analyst Ming Chi-Kuo.

The new chip won't match Broadcom's current offerings but will offer Wi-Fi 6E standard.

Meanwhile, the updated HomePod, which will launch sometime next year, was just tipped to have a 6-to 7-inch OLED display. That device is supposed to be more of a smart home controller than a speaker. Gurman has previously said that Apple is working on versions with a wall-mounted iPad-like display and a version with a robotic arm.

With the new Wi-Fi chip, the HomePod should work more closely with other smart home devices. Apple is supposed to push into smart home devices next year. Gurman even throws away at the end of the article that Apple is working on a standalone security camera.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. 

Read more
MacBook Pro 2023
MacBook Pro tipped for M5 upgrade ahead of iPad Pro — what we know
Images of the iPhone 16e.
Apple’s C2 modem is reportedly in the works – but which iPhone will get it first?
iPhone 17 Air concept image
What to expect from Apple in 2025 — iPhone 17, M4 MacBook Air, AirPods Pro 3 and more
Apple M5 chip render
Apple M5 chip reportedly entering mass production — here's the devices that will get it first
Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses next to AirPods Pro 2
New report says Apple is working on Meta-style smart glasses and AirPods with cameras
MacBook Air vs iPad Pro
Apple MacBook Air M4 and iPad Air upgrades could follow the iPhone SE 4
Latest in iPhones
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro Max leak claims it’s ready for production — and seems to confirm its new design
iPhone 16e review.
iPhone 16e is facing Bluetooth problems — here's what's going on
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Everything we know so far
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19 risks turning Apple Intelligence into the new Siri — and that's not good
A photo of Apple CarPly in use
Apple CarPlay just got a welcome upgrade in iOS 18.4 — what you need to know
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
5 biggest iOS 19 rumors — here’s how Apple could transform your iPhone
Latest in News
Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso in Ted Lasso season 3
‘Ted Lasso’ season 4 is official — here’s what Jason Sudeikis revealed
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 shipments rumor hints at possible release window
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
One of Apple’s most controversial AI features could be coming to Android phones
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro Max leak claims it’s ready for production — and seems to confirm its new design
Cristin Milioti in "Black Mirror" season 7 coming to Netflix
‘Black Mirror’ season 7 trailer teases some of the darkest episodes yet — here’s when you can stream it
Google Gemini vs GPT 4o
ChatGPT just got a massive update that lets you replace Gemini on your Android phone