Apple Unveils N1 Chip: iPhone Air Gains Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread

Apple’s push to control more of its hardware stack took a new turn with the launch of the iPhone Air, which introduced the company’s first proprietary wireless connectivity chip, the N1. The chip supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, signaling a move away from long-time reliance on external suppliers.

Earlier this year, the iPhone 16e shipped with Apple’s C1 modem, a step toward reducing dependence on Qualcomm. The new iPhone Air not only carries an upgraded C1X modem but also debuts the N1, which now handles core wireless standards inside the iPhone.

Apple did not disclose detailed technical specifications of the N1, nor the exact reason for the departure from previous supplier arrangements. Broadcom has historically supplied Wi-Fi and Bluetooth solutions for Apple products. However, Apple noted that the chip is designed to improve Continuity features such as AirDrop, Personal Hotspot, and Universal Control. These functions rely on seamless switching between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, areas where Apple is aiming to strengthen performance.

The N1 marks Apple’s first integration of its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth solution into the iPhone lineup. While Apple has produced wireless chips for specific product categories—the W-series in Apple Watch and the H1 and H2 chips in AirPods—this represents an expansion of that approach into its most widely used device. The company’s decision suggests the technology has reached a maturity level that can support higher data demands of flagship devices.

Apple’s press material points to broader potential for the N-series chips. With built-in Thread support, the N1 could play a role in Apple’s smart home ecosystem. That makes future Macs, iPads, Apple TVs, and HomePods likely candidates for adopting the chip, strengthening the company’s in-house control of wireless technologies across product lines.