Apple has made significant investments in creating its own bespoke chips. This started in 2010 with the Apple A4, introduced in the first iPad and later in the iPhone 4.
In 1999, Apple acquired Raycer Graphics, the makers of graphics chips and followed this when it added semiconductor companies P.A. Semi in 2008 and Intrinsity in 2010. Throw in Anobit, a flash memory maker in 2011 and Passif Semiconductor in 2013 and it’s clear Apple has invested heavily in the Apple Silicon strategy.
In 2019, Apple added Intel’s smartphone modem business to its quiver of chip arrows. And we now have a new chip, the N1, that delivers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Thread wireless networking.
The iPhone 17 generation shows the fruit of those acquisitions.
- The A19 and A19 Pro processors (more accurately defined as a system on a chip, or SoC) are designed to maximise performance and power efficiency without generating excessive heat.
- The C1X modem provides cellular communications.
- The N1 chip delivers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Thread wireless networking communications.
Add to that the M-series SoCs that power Apple’s high-end iPads and its desktop and laptop range and Apple now has most of the key building blocks it needs to make computing devices without having to either integrate hardware made by other manufacturers or needing to pay royalties for access to patents. This is likely the motivation behind the acquisition of Intel’s smartphone modem business.
And there’s the S series of SOCs we see in the Apple Watch.
Apple’s bag of chips now covers the main components in its computing hardware. It has CPUs, GPUs and Neural Engines in the A-series and M-series SoCs. The C-series chips provide cellular comms and the N-series looks after wireless communications.
This gives Apple significant benefits over competitors that rely on putting together computers, tablets and smartphones using parts from separate suppliers. Apple can optimise how each piece works with the others to maximise efficiency. And, as it has greater control over the design, it can reduce its costs.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.