Every year, Apple releases improvements to its devices, whether in the performance chips, the battery or other smaller, but no less useful, components, such as the Wi-Fiwhich can reach high speeds, depending on the model.
Today, we will analyze a study that shows us this performancein the last two models, so it will be very useful to check if it is really noticeable or not, and if we opt for one or the other, depending on our needs and budget.
Which iPhone has the best Wi-Fi
Ookla has analyzed real user data and discovered that the iPhone 17 (including Pro, Pro Max and Air) with the new chip N1 They offer a notable jump in Wi-Fi speed compared to the iPhone 16.
The study is based on evidence collected between September 19 and October 29, 2025. According to Ookla, The iPhone 17 reaches up to 40% more average download and upload speed compared to previous models.
What is especially interesting is that the improvement is not only for the most powerful networks: in difficult situations (“10th percentile”, that is, with a weak signal or interference), the increase can exceed 60%. This means that the N1 chip makes the connection more stable in difficult conditions.
In the United States, for example, The iPhone 17 and Air recorded an average download speed of about 409 Mbpswhile the iPhone 16 stayed at ~350 Mbps.
A possible reason for discussion is that the N1 chip only supports 160 MHz channels in Wi-Fi 7, when the standard allows up to 320 MHz. In theory, this puts it at a disadvantage compared to other chips, but in practice it seems that it is not noticeable for most users, especially since there are still few routers that use 320 MHz.
Ookla also compared the performance of the iPhone 17 with other Android phones such as the Pixel 10 Pro or the Galaxy S25. Although some Android achieve similar peaks, Apple excels at offering more consistent performance under different network conditions.
Therefore, we can say that Apple's N1 chip provides a real improvement to the Wi-Fi of the new iPhones. Not only does the maximum speed increase, but it “raises the floor”: the iPhone 17 are especially better when the connection is not ideal.
Possibly, we will see this improvement in all subsequent models, as well as in iPad and other devices, since it seems to work, and very well, so it is not a simple annual improvement, with small details, as on other occasions.
And you, do you think this is something to value, or is it simply a normal change that should come at some point? Most people do not pay attention to this when purchasing an iPhone, but it is true that these small details make a difference, and are capable of making people speak well of Apple, without knowing why, just that everything works as it should. Leave us a comment with your opinion about it.
