Apple is advancing its strategy of greater control over its ecosystem by developing Proxima, a custom Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip that aims to replace components currently supplied by Broadcom. Expected to debut in 2025, Proxima will combine Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions into a single, highly efficient chip. This marks another step in Apple’s push to minimize reliance on external vendors and enhance integration across its hardware and software.
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| Proxima is expected to be manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) |
Proxima’s Development and Role in Apple’s Future
Proxima is expected to be manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which also produces Apple’s Apple Silicon chips. The chip’s design aims to increase efficiency and provide Apple with more control over wireless technologies, much like its previous shift away from Qualcomm’s cellular modems. Proxima might even work alongside Apple’s future cellular modems to offer a unified wireless solution.
The first devices to feature Proxima are expected to be updated versions of the HomePod Mini and Apple TV, slated for release in 2025. By 2026, the chip will likely be incorporated into iPhones, iPads, and Macs, offering a more seamless, consistent wireless experience across Apple’s product lineup. This integration is intended to compete with similar offerings from Google and Amazon in the smart home and tech ecosystem space.
Strategic Importance of Proxima
This move reflects Apple’s ongoing efforts to control more aspects of its product ecosystem, from design and performance to the supply chain. By creating its own chips, Apple can optimize performance, reduce costs, and improve energy efficiency, while delivering unique features to its devices. This approach has already impacted the market, with Broadcom’s stock dropping by 3.9% following reports that Apple is moving to develop its own wireless chips, while Apple’s stock edged up.
Proxima’s introduction could lead to faster wireless speeds, better battery performance, and a more seamless experience for Apple users, aligning with the company's broader goal of creating an integrated ecosystem. Additionally, reports suggest Apple is pushing further into the smart home space, with new products like a standalone security camera and a wall-mounted smart display to control various devices. While Apple has not officially confirmed Proxima’s development, the chip’s debut in 2025 is highly anticipated.