The iPhone 17 series is showing impressive Wi-Fi gains over last year’s models, thanks to Apple’s new N1 chip—but Google still holds the global speed crown.
According to new data from Ookla (collected between Sept. 19 and Oct. 29, 2025), Apple’s latest iPhones deliver a big jump in both download and upload speeds. The iPhone 16 recorded a global median download speed of 236.46Mbps, while the iPhone 17 surged to 329.56Mbps. Upload speeds also climbed from 73.68Mbps on the iPhone 16 to 103.26Mbps on the iPhone 17—around a 40% improvement.
PCMag’s own testing showed even higher peak numbers, with the iPhone 17 reaching 668Mbps down and 278Mbps up.
Despite the boost, Apple still falls slightly behind Google. The Pixel 10 Pro series took the top spot in global median download speed at 335.33Mbps, just ahead of the iPhone 17. Xiaomi’s 15T Pro followed at 290.50Mbps, while Samsung devices averaged 250.83Mbps.
One major limitation for Apple: its Wi-Fi 7 frequency cap. The iPhone 17 supports up to 160MHz, while Samsung’s Galaxy S25 can double that—to 320MHz—allowing for potentially faster throughput on compatible networks.
Even with this restriction, Apple dominates in North America. In the US, the iPhone 17 hit a 416.14Mbps median download speed, with the Pixel 10 series close behind at 411.21Mbps, and Samsung’s S25 at 365.99Mbps.
Ookla notes that many users still can’t take full advantage of 320MHz Wi-Fi channels because most households haven’t upgraded to Wi-Fi 7 routers. As of June, less than 2% of US homes had next-gen routers installed.
