Apple’s Custom Chips Signal Strategic Shift Toward AI Integration in Latest iPhones

Apple’s newest iPhone Air, now available in stores, showcases the company’s deepening commitment to artificial intelligence through its custom silicon. The A19 Pro chip introduces a redesigned GPU with neural accelerators, significantly boosting AI performance. Alongside it, two new chips debut: the N1, Apple’s first wireless chip for iPhone, and the C1X, the second iteration of its in-house modem.

The N1 replaces Broadcom’s long-standing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth components, extending across the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 lineup. Arun Mathias, Apple’s VP of wireless technologies, highlights the efficiency gains: 'Wi-Fi access points enhance location awareness without draining power via GPS.' Meanwhile, the C1X modem further displaces Qualcomm’s dominance, building on Apple’s $1 billion acquisition of Intel’s modem division in 2019. Qualcomm parts remain only in select iPhone 17 Pro models.