Apple has long ago released routers called Airport. The AirPort router, which has about 3 models on the market, allows the user to manage the internet received through a modem. These devices, which Apple stopped production a long time ago, allowed printers to print wirelessly in the 2010s, while enabling features such as AirPlay to function more healthily. According to recent leaks, Apple may reintroduce AirPort routers.

Apple Airport routers may come back

AirPort routers, which have long been used for both router and NAS (Network Attached Storage) purposes, are among Apple’s ecosystem products. When AirPort Extreme was first introduced, it served as a router where the user could manage the internet at home. More advanced models of AirPort devices (AirPort Time Capsule, etc.) were sold with 2 TB and 3 TB storage options, and users can use these devices as NAS in their homes. Although Apple has discontinued production of these routers, these devices can still be managed thanks to the AirPort Utility application, which is still available in the macOS (as an internal operating system application) and iOS/iPadOS App Store.

Apple first announced that it stopped the production of Apple AirPort routers with the announcement it made on 26 April 2018. No announcement was made about AirPort, which can provide 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz internet bands according to the years it was released. However, the latest estimates from analysts suggest that the company may return to the production of Apple AirPort routers. Leaks and information from the second half of 2024 indicate that Apple may introduce a HomePod-like home assistant with a screen.

At the same time, the company is expected to launch the new HomePod mini and Apple TV in 2025. With the programme that started in 2020, Apple started to produce many hardware inside its devices. First, Apple brought together hardware such as CPU, GPU, NPU, RAM and SSD to create the ARM architecture-based Apple M1 chip. Afterwards, the company started to produce many chips used in the device itself.

Mark Gurman, known for his consistent analysts about Apple products, says that Apple has started to produce Wi-Fi chips itself and will start using these chips by leaving Broadcom in 2025, and the first products that come with these chips will be the new Apple TV and the new HomePod mini. At the same time, according to the allegations, Apple may introduce the home assistant with screen, which is estimated to be named HomePad in 2025, and the iPhone 17 series with new Wi-Fi chips.

It is thought that the AirPort, which may come new, can first help the ecosystem with Airdrop and high data and file transfer operations. It is estimated that Airdrop operations can be shortened with the new Apple Airport router and image transfer operations such as AirPlay can be smoother. There has not yet been an official statement from Apple on the subject.

So what do you think about this issue? Please do not forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below.