Apple has unveiled the next generation of ultrawideband for mobile devices. Together with the iPhone 15 (Pro), Apple introduced the U2 chip. This is the direct successor to the U1.
UWB is not a completely new technology, but it was the first time that it was used in a mobile device. In the meantime, Apple has expanded its range of UWB devices to include the iPhone, AirTag, AirPods, HomePod and Apple Watch. So you see, you use the iPhone 15 Pro business or privately, in both situations you benefit from the U-chip in combination with other Apple devices.
Ultrawideband chip from Apple
The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, Apple Watch Series 6 and newer are equipped by Apple with a special ultrawideband chip. This chip is mainly intended to create ‘spatial insight’, which means that other devices in a physical space can be very accurately located relative to each other with UWB.
U-chip functions
Apple uses the current U1 chip for various functions and capabilities including;
- AirTag precise search
- Use AirDrop more precisely
- Transfer music to a HomePod
- Find AirPods Pro case
Apple’s U2 chip
Apple has added the second generation ultrawideband chip to the iPhone 15 (Plus), iPhone 15 Pro (Max), Apple Watch series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. This allows you to apply the following extras.
- Accurate people search
- iPhone accurate search with Apple Watch
- Automatically control music on a HomePod via Apple Watch
The entire iPhone 15 (Pro) series have a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip. Two iPhones that both have this chip can make contact over three times the distance than before. This offers all kinds of new possibilities, including Precise search in Find My app. This allows iPhone users to share their location and find each other even in busy places.
Thanks to the U2 chip in the Apple Watch series 9 and Ultra 2, ‘Precise Search’ will be possible across the entire iPhone 15 range, which contains the same chip. Thanks to this feature, you know in which direction and how far to search, even if your iPhone is in another room. Image and sound signals and haptic feedback help you find your device.
In addition, you can integrate your Apple Watch and HomePod even further. When you get within 4 meters of a HomePod playing audio, the U2 chip activates ‘Current’ to control media. If nothing is playing, media suggestions will appear at the top of the Smart Stack.