According to Mark Gurman’s report for Bloomberg, Apple is on the verge of making another major advancement in its journey toward silicon independence. This transformation is anticipated to debut in upgraded Apple TV and HomePod mini products as early as next year.
The company intends to substitute Broadcom’s integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chips with its own custom solution, starting next year, based on insights from the well-informed Gurman.
The chip, referred to internally as ‘Proxima,’ has been under development for several years and marks Apple’s latest effort to diminish its dependence on external suppliers, as per the report. TSMC is set to manufacture this component, continuing their established collaboration with Apple regarding chip development.
The rollout of Proxima will begin with enhanced versions of Apple’s home devices—specifically, new Apple TV and HomePod mini models expected in 2025, as first disclosed by Gurman. This technology is slated to be integrated into the iPhone later that same year, with iPads and Macs following in 2026.
This initiative is distinct from Apple’s ongoing plans to phase out Qualcomm modems; however, the two custom chips are designed to function cohesively, forming part of Apple’s extensive wireless strategy. The goal is to develop a more integrated and efficient wireless solution throughout its entire product range.
Broadcom has solidified its position as an industry leader in wireless components, and Apple’s first-generation chip will be expected to demonstrate high performance standards. The new chip will support the Wi-Fi 6E standard, providing enhanced bandwidth and faster data rates.
This transition’s timing coincides with Apple’s broader plans for smart home products in 2025, which reportedly include an AI-driven home hub device and an independent security camera. The new custom wireless chip could facilitate better integration and quicker data synchronization among Apple’s home devices.
In relation to Broadcom, there was a recent report indicating that Apple and Broadcom are collaborating on developing Apple’s inaugural server chip aimed at AI processing. This could be a key element of Apple’s strategy to launch a conversational, LLM-powered version of Siri, akin to ChatGPT, with Gurman noting that this is on Apple’s agenda for rollout as soon as 2026.
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