Until recently, all the rumors about the iPhone 5 revolved around the display, the camera and the screen type. However, as the release date approaches, more news is starting to come out regarding the hardware you can expect in the new iPhone. One thing that caught the patrons’ attention is the new Wi-Fi chip from Broadcom that might be included in the phone. This new chip has many advantages over the chip that is being used in the current iPhone 4S model.
Low Power Wi-Fi Chip From Broadcom
Apple has supposedly ordered the BCM4334 Wi-Fi chip from Broadcom. Among all the impressive chips that the iPhone 5 is rumored to have in its circuit board, this 40mm chip is probably the one with a multitude of capabilities. Before we talk about the different capabilities, the power consumption of this chip is probably one of its more prominent features. The chip is said to have very minimal energy requirements considering all its different capabilities.
The BCM4334 supposedly had a reduced power consumption of almost 40 to 50% compared to the Wi-Fi chip that is present in the 4S. This is a huge percentage, which might affect the standby power consumption by almost 3 times of what it takes for the current model of iPhone. This might be crucial to the overall success of the phone, considering some of the rumors that are floating around.
High Power Consuming Components
Another rumor about the iPhone5 is that it is going to use a processor that will be similar to that of the iPad. If that rumor is true, then the processor will also take a big part of the total power consumption.
If there is a 4-inch display, it will need more juice to work. So every bit of energy saved is more standby time for the device as a whole. Also, if the display is a retina display, similar to that of the iPad, then it is going to consume a lot of power.
Unless Apple boosts the battery of the new iPhone, the standby time of the device might be really low. This is where the low power consumption of the Wi-Fi chip might be crucial. It is going to give Apple a bold option to add a bigger display and a more powerful processor without reducing the standby time.
The Multiple Capabilities of BCM4334
Although the main function of the BCM4334 is to support Wi-Fi Direct and 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity, there are other special advantages that it offers. The Wi-Fi Direct will allow you to connect to any other Wi-Fi enabled device. An added advantage of this chip is it supporting Bluetooth 4.0. So there is no need of another support circuitry for the Bluetooth technology. The BCM$334 also improves the FM reception of the device. So, that will improve the quality of radio that can be played on the iPhone 5. This is probably the magic trick that Apple has up its sleeve. If this chip manages to save enough battery power that can back up the display and the other components, the iPhone 5 will definitely be a success.
