I’m sure Apple will let everyone know that we’re just holding the phone wrong.
iPhone Goes Fully Cellular with Seamless, Always-On 5G
Cupertino, California, September 23, 2025
Today, Apple announced the next chapter in iPhone’s evolution by advancing the industry beyond legacy wireless standards. The new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max eliminate Wi-Fi connectivity entirely, setting a new benchmark for simplicity, performance, and reliability.
“Every once in a while, a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything,” said Steve Jobs in 2007. “Today, we’re doing it again — by removing what no longer needs to be there.”For over two decades, Wi-Fi has served as a foundational technology for mobile devices. But with the emergence of advanced 5G and private cellular networks, the need for separate Wi-Fi radios has diminished, both in practice and in performance.
Apple’s proprietary connectivity architecture now delivers ultra-low latency, higher bandwidth, and seamless handoff across global 5G networks, supported by strategic partnerships with carriers and next-generation eSIM provisioning.
#Why Remove Wi-Fi?
In 99.9% of real-world user testing, cellular connectivity via 5G outperformed local Wi-Fi networks in speed, reliability, and latency. Removing the Wi-Fi module enables:
- A lighter, more power-efficient design
- Increased internal space for battery capacity
- Fewer components susceptible to wear or failure
- A streamlined, always-connected user experience
#Designed for the Future
The new iPhone is designed around the principle that users shouldn’t have to think about how they’re connected. There’s no more toggling between networks, managing passwords, or dealing with unreliable public Wi-Fi. Just uninterrupted access, anywhere.
To support this shift, Apple has introduced AppleConnect, a seamless global data experience available through iCloud+, integrating with over 270 carrier networks worldwide. For enterprises, AppleEdge offers private, secure, carrier-independent cellular environments replacing traditional Wi-Fi infrastructure.
“We’re not interested in being first, we’re interested in being right,” said Tim Cook, Apple CEO. “Removing Wi-Fi is a step toward a simpler, smarter, more connected future. This is where the industry is headed, we’re just getting there first.”
Transition and Compatibility
Apple understands that some workflows and environments may still depend on legacy Wi-Fi protocols. iPad, Mac, and other devices continue to support Wi-Fi, and developers are encouraged to adopt new APIs supporting AppleConnect for peer-to-peer and local communication.
Beat me to it
Came for this chestnut.
Let me guess, are we holding it wrong again?
My guess is that they are making their own WiFi chip and it’s growing pains.
“we will test it in production! what other use is there for users?”
test it in production!
…at great cost to each.
Remember, though: apple is a hardware company. They win when you buy it. They only fix it enough so you’ll buy the next one too.
Obviously Apple is previewing their next upcoming invention: After dropping physical buttons and the headphone jack, the iPhone 18 will remove Wi-Fi support. Apple will call themselves “corageous” and make up a laundry list of reasons why we don’t need it. (But obviously, it’ll actually be because they are in cahoots with all the cell carriers who want to charge you for data 100% of the time.)
The iPhone 19 will drop the charging port, and the iPhone 20 won’t have a screen. It’ll retail for $1899, and millions of people will buy it anyway.
Circlejerk much? It’s because they tried to develop their own network connectivity chip, and it sucks ass
It’s satire, dude.
But it’s nonsense and shallow.
cool story, where’s my fucking headphone jack
That complaint makes sense, don’t get me wrong guys.
Congratulations, you described Apple’s PR department.
Ignore the downvotes.
I always ignore the downvotes. I am both waterpoof and invincible!
So much time spent thinking about Apple!
“Plagued” … “though the scope of the problem remains unclear.”
A few people on Reddit complained. Reddit at this point exists largely to amplify and echo complaints. I don’t think this is news yet.
Yeah I’m no Apple fan, sold all their stuff. But I also remember how Apple constantly had a magnifying glass on them every gen so you get stuff like antennagate and bendgate while other similar phones with minor issues are never pointed out.
Nintendo is the same with their products. It’s usually overblown.
Nintendo was overblown? The switch launch units had a very large rate of drift issues within the first year. I’d call it fair to say that most of the launch version had drift issues. Most Nintendo hardware releases have no major flaws while “viewed under the microscope”. I guess the switch 2 has a shitty screen, but it’s not flawed hardware. The screens were made to be shit from the getgo.
When your whole shtick is that it just works, people are definitely gonna expect a lot more from you.
Finally got 120Hz screens on base models
Wifi doesn’t work
Ok Apple…
You’re holding it wrong
Just buy 2. In case first one disconnects.
Is this the version where Apple launched its own WiFi chips?
For only $400 you can buy an an upgrade to make wifi work.
Apple people: I LOVE YOU BRAND.
