Android phones expected to use ultra-wideband tech by year-end after iPhone

The first Android smartphones with ultra-wideband technology will be released later in 2020, following in the footsteps of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, according to the latest report by Barclays analysts.

The report said that Android smartphones will be equipped with all-in-one ultra-wideband chips, NFC and Secure Element chips introduced by Dutch chip maker NXP Semiconductors last year.

It's not clear which Android smartphone will use ultra-wideband technology first, but Samsung did form an alliance with NXP last year to help develop the technology.

UWB technology will provide some interesting new features for mobile devices, such as the ability to unlock doors when the device is close to the vehicle.

Industry insiders said with ultra-wideband chips, mobile devices will be able to communicate with connected access controls, cars, etc. to open them when approaching.

Currently Apple iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max models are equipped with Apple-designed U1 ultra-wideband chips. These devices can identify the precise location of other nearby Apple devices equipped with U1 chips. For example, there is an AirDrop targeting function on iOS 13 where users can connect iPhone 11 with another iPhone user to share files.

Apple once stated on the official introduction page of the iPhone 11 Pro that the AirDrop targeting function is just the "start" of the ultra-wideband function, and "amazing new features" will be launched later.

Last year, someone found clues about a suspected tracker in Apple's iOS 13 code. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the so-called Apple AirTags will also support ultra-wideband technology, indicating that future iPhone 11 models will be able to be used indoors and outdoors areas for more precise positioning capabilities.

This method can accurately measure the distance between two UWB devices by calculating the time it takes for radio waves to pass between two devices, and its accuracy is much higher than Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi.

It's unclear when Apple plans to release its tracking products. In any case, the application of ultra-wideband technology has just begun.