Apple has announced a new wireless chip called the N1, and it’s debuting with the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 lineup.
Apple N1 Makes its Debut on the New iPhone Lineup, Bringing Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread to its Latest Devices
The first time I heard Apple was working on such a chip, I was sure it would make its debut in a product like the HomePod, or maybe just the iPhone Air. You know, in a place where Apple can test it out first, and expand it to other products later.
Apple announced the N1 wireless chip today, and it was a big surprise. Not only it was introduced, but it’s a part of the entire new iPhone lineup. From the iPhone 17 to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, everything in between has this chip.
N1 does not make any sort of compromises either. It makes its debut with Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The last one you really wouldn’t care about, but the first two are important, because you’ll use those things daily.
Apple says the new chip improves the reliability and performance of things like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. Though Apple hasn’t mentioned it, they’re talking about its wireless protocol called AWDL (Apple Wireless Direct Link).
For those who don’t know, your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, etc., creates an invisible wireless mesh network between them, allowing features like Universal Control, AirDrop, Personal Hotspot, and more to work. This is the protocol that makes the Apple ecosystem, the Apple ecosystem.
Ever had that moment when you shared something with someone over AirDrop and it was very slow? How about your iPhone or iPad not copying and pasting between each other? These are the issues the N1 will fix.
Apple has absolutely underplayed the chip’s announcement, but this is the sort of thing devices need in order to stay efficient and reliable. I just can’t wait to see it in devices like the Mac, and especially iPad.
