Tech giant Apple is reportedly planning to use its own in-house designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip in future iPhones. According to a report, the move would help the company to reduce its reliance on suppliers such as Qualcomm and Intel, who have been providing the iPhone’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for years.
Apple has been producing its own chips for years, with the company having developed chips for iPhones and iPads, as well as its popular Apple Watch. This is not the first time the Cupertino-based firm has made an effort to reduce its reliance on third-party suppliers – Apple has also been developing custom processors for its Mac range.
Apple has reportedly been working on its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips for several years and is expected to debut them in future iPhones. The new chips could be used to power better performance and/or new features, such as improved range and better power efficiency.
The move could be seen as a major coup for Apple, as the company would no longer have to rely on third-party offerings or shell out licensing or other fees to the likes of Qualcomm or Intel. This could help reduce the cost of the iPhone while still providing Apple with the latest and most advanced chip technologies.
The report also indicates that Apple is working on its own mobile modem, which could potentially replace Qualcomm’s technology in the iPhone. While this particular piece of news may be premature, it’s clear that Apple is looking to further reduce its reliance on third-party suppliers for key components.
This is not the only step Apple has taken in recent years to reduce its reliance on outside suppliers. The company has also been working on its own displays, battery solutions, and cameras, with the latter recently being launched in the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max.
The move to use its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip appears to be an effort to further reduce Apple’s reliance on third-party suppliers and also help reduce costs. Any move that could potentially reduce cost of production, while at the same time improve performance and features, could be seen as a win-win for Apple.
