While everyone is talking about the new processors that make the latest iPhones fast, there’s another new chip inside that’s a really big deal. It’s called the Apple N1, and it’s the first time Apple has made its own chip to handle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for the iPhone. This is a big change because Apple used to buy these parts from other companies.
So, why did Apple decide to build this chip themselves? It’s all about having more control. By designing their own wireless chip, they can make it work perfectly with the iPhone’s software. Apple says this will make features like AirDrop and Personal Hotspot (when you share your phone’s internet with a laptop) much more reliable and use less battery. They’ve already been making their own wireless chips for the Apple Watch and AirPods, and now they’ve finally made one good enough for the iPhone.
The new N1 chip is packed with the latest technology. It has Wi-Fi 7, which is the newest and fastest kind of Wi-Fi. It’s especially good at keeping your connection strong even when lots of other devices are online around you. It also has Bluetooth 6, a new version that will let you listen to much higher-quality, clearer music wirelessly. Finally, it includes something called Thread, which is a special connection designed for smart home gadgets like lights and thermostats, helping them all work together more reliably.
This N1 chip is part of a bigger plan for Apple. They also just announced a new chip for the phone’s 5G cellular connection, called the C1X. By making both the chip for Wi-Fi and the chip for 5G, Apple now controls all of your iPhone’s connections. You can expect to see this N1 chip show up in other Apple products soon, like iPads, Macs, and especially in the Apple TV and HomePod to make their smart home system much better.