Wi-Fi Problems Surface on iPhone 17 Lineup, Linked to Apple’s New N1 Chip

Apple’s latest iPhones have only just reached customers, but some early buyers are already pointing to a frustrating quirk: Wi-Fi connections that randomly drop and reconnect. The issue has been noted on all four new models, the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and the new iPhone Air, with reports stacking up across online forums and support threads over the weekend.

The complaints describe a similar pattern: the phone disconnects from Wi-Fi briefly, often after being unlocked, before reconnecting on its own. For some, this has a knock-on effect in cars where CarPlay suddenly drops out, only to reconnect seconds later. A number of users also suggest that the problem is more common when an Apple Watch is paired and active, though it’s not clear if the watch is directly involved.

This year’s lineup introduces Apple’s first in-house wireless chip, the N1, which handles Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread networking. In interviews, Apple has emphasized its efficiency gains, particularly its ability to reduce reliance on the main processor for location services and background connectivity. The N1 also underpins newer versions of AirDrop and Personal Hotspot, promising better performance and reliability. But with Wi-Fi instability cropping up so soon, attention has shifted to whether Apple’s custom design is experiencing teething problems.

It’s too early to know whether the issue lies in hardware or software, though Apple has a history of ironing out early launch bugs with quick software updates. iOS 26.0.1 is already expected in the near term, but there’s no guarantee the fix will be included.

The situation highlights the risk of Apple moving core components in-house. Custom silicon has been central to Apple’s competitive edge in areas like performance and power efficiency, yet wireless chips present different challenges. If the problems prove widespread, the company may need to act quickly to reassure users that the shift away from Broadcom doesn’t compromise reliability.

For now, the reports remain anecdotal, and not every iPhone 17 owner appears to be affected. But with Wi-Fi being so essential for CarPlay, streaming, and cloud services, even intermittent dropouts can sour the launch experience for those impacted. Apple has not yet commented publicly, leaving early adopters to wait and see whether the first patch of iOS 26 resolves their connectivity woes.