Could Apple Return to the Wi-Fi Router Market?
Apple’s AirPort base stations once stood as sleek, reliable Wi-Fi solutions for Mac users and loyal Apple fans. With models like the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule, the tech giant offered user-friendly routers that blended seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem. However, the AirPort line was officially discontinued in 2018, and in July 2025, several AirPort models were added to Apple’s obsolete product list—prompting renewed curiosity: will Apple ever return to the Wi-Fi router market? While no official plans have been announced, recent reports suggest the company may be laying the groundwork for a quiet comeback through integrated chip technology in other smart home devices.
How Apple's New Chip Technology Could Revive AirPort
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a proprietary Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip slated to appear in upcoming models of Apple TV and the HomePod mini. This chip isn’t just another update—it’s designed with a level of sophistication that could, in theory, turn these devices into wireless access points. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E or potentially even Wi-Fi 7, as predicted by supply chain analyst Jeff Pu, positions Apple to offer faster, more reliable home networking without reintroducing the AirPort brand directly. For tech enthusiasts and Apple ecosystem users, this raises an exciting possibility: could your next Apple TV or HomePod double as a high-performance Wi-Fi router?
Why Apple Left the Wi-Fi Router Market—and Why It Might Return
Apple’s decision to exit the router space in 2018 was reportedly due to a lack of differentiation in the market and a desire to focus on core products like the iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch. Yet the landscape has changed significantly. Today’s routers are central to the connected home experience—managing everything from security cameras to smart appliances. Apple, now deeply invested in home automation through platforms like HomeKit, may find re-entering the Wi-Fi market not only strategic but necessary. By embedding router-level capabilities into devices like Apple TV and HomePod, Apple could maintain control over the entire home experience—ensuring seamless performance, privacy, and integration across all its devices.
What This Means for Smart Home Users and Apple Fans
For those who loved the simplicity and reliability of AirPort routers, the idea of Apple returning to the Wi-Fi space—even without calling it AirPort—offers hope. A device that combines smart speaker or media streaming functionality with mesh Wi-Fi routing could drastically reduce clutter and simplify home networking setups. Moreover, it aligns with Apple’s broader commitment to user privacy, secure cloud services, and closed-loop ecosystems. If Apple chooses to re-enter the market this way, users could enjoy the benefits of high-speed Wi-Fi 7 access, intelligent device management, and HomeKit-native features—all powered by Apple’s in-house chip. While the return of AirPort remains uncertain, the direction Apple is heading suggests we might soon see a new class of multifunctional, router-capable devices that quietly revive its legacy in home networking.
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