Apple May Re-enter the Router Market with a New AirPort

Apple, once a major player in the Wi-Fi router market with its AirPort line, discontinued its last AirPort product in 2018. However, recent developments and rumors suggest that the company may be gearing up to re-enter the market with a new version of its AirPort router.

Historically, Apple has treated its home device lineup—such as the HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K—as more of a hobby than a core product category. These devices have not received significant investment or frequent updates from Apple. Furthermore, while Apple has built an ecosystem around its smart home platform HomeKit, it has refrained from creating its own home accessories, such as lightbulbs or security cameras.

That stance, however, is set to change. Apple is reportedly planning a substantial push into the smart home market, with new hardware expected as early as 2025. This includes new versions of the Apple TV and HomePod mini, along with the debut of a new device, the ‘HomePad’. In 2026, Apple may also release its first smart home camera, signaling the start of a new era for the company’s smart home offerings.

What’s more, Apple is making significant strides in developing its own Wi-Fi chips, moving away from Broadcom’s combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth solutions. This shift will begin with devices like the iPhone 17, the new Apple TV, and the HomePod mini in 2025, and will extend to iPads and Macs in 2026. With this in-house Wi-Fi technology, Apple aims to offer better integration across its ecosystem of products, promising faster synchronization and greater energy efficiency.

This combination of new hardware launches and a more tightly integrated wireless ecosystem could pave the way for the return of the AirPort. Apple now has more reasons than ever to create a Wi-Fi router that complements its growing range of smart home devices. By controlling both the hardware and wireless technology, Apple would be able to offer a seamless user experience, strengthening its ecosystem and ensuring better connectivity between all its devices.

A revival of the AirPort would not only bolster Apple’s smart home efforts but also provide an opportunity to enhance the performance of its devices in ways that are impossible with third-party routers. With a dedicated focus on Wi-Fi, and potentially 5G in the near future, the return of the AirPort seems increasingly likely—and it could be a key part of Apple’s broader strategy to dominate the smart home and connected device market in the coming years.