The new iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max have a new Apple-designed chip inside, the N1.
The N1 is a networking chip. It supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Because Apple was able to create the chip to integrate with other hardware and software in the iPhone, it’s more efficient and it offers improved reliability.
According to Apple, the N1 chip improves the performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. The N1 will replace networking chips that Apple previously sourced from suppliers like Broadcom.
The iPhone 16 models supported Wi-Fi 7 already so that’s not new, but Bluetooth 6 is an upgrade over the previous Bluetooth 5.3 support. Bluetooth 6 brings less interference in crowded areas for improved reliability, lower latency, updated wake and sleep cycles for longer battery life, better multi-stream audio support for spatial audio and other features, and improved hearing aid support.
Thread was also a feature in the prior-generation iPhone 16 models, but for those unfamiliar, a Thread radio allows the iPhone 17 models to directly control Thread-enabled smart home products.
With the N1 and other optimizations, the iPhone 17 models have some of the longest battery life in any iPhone to date. The iPhone 17 Pro lasts for up to 39 hours when watching videos, for example.
Popular Stories
Apple Announces iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max With New Design, Larger Battery, and More
Apple today introduced the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Both devices feature a new aluminum unibody design, with the Ceramic Shield now protecting both the front and back sides. Apple says the front side is now Ceramic Shield 2, which offers 3x better scratch resistance, while the rear Ceramic Shield is advertised as 4x more resistant to cracks compared to the back glass on previous…
iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro: Release Date and Pre-Orders
Apple will be holding its annual iPhone event on Tuesday, September 9, to unveil the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Assuming that Apple sticks to its familiar pattern, the iPhone 17 series should be available to pre-order starting Friday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time / 8 a.m. Eastern Time. The release date for the devices should be one week later, on Fr…
Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone 17, iPhone Air, New Apple Watches, and AirPods Pro 3
Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we’re expecting to see the iPhone 17 lineup, several updated Apple Watch models, and the third-generation AirPods Pro unveiled, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company’s TV app across various platforms. We will also be updating…
Two Versions of AirPods Pro 3 Coming With These Differences
Apple is preparing to launch two versions of the AirPods Pro 3 over 2025 and 2026, according to a Weibo leaker. Yesterday, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to debut the AirPods Pro 3 this year. They could arrive as soon as this week at Apple’s “Awe dropping” event. Crucially, Kuo added that Apple is planning to introduce a successor to this year’s AirPods …
New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as “Instant Digital,” the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and…
Apple Announces iPhone Air With Ultra-Thin Design
Apple today unveiled the iPhone Air, an all-new kind of iPhone featuring an ultra-thin design. The iPhone Air is just 5.6mm thick, making it the thinnest iPhone ever. The frame is made of titanium with a polished mirror finish. The device features Ceramic Shield 2 with 3x better scratch resistance and 4x better crack resistance, on both sides of the device for the first time. Apple says that …
