Apple Watch Series 6 Features U1 Chip for Ultra Wideband

Apple Watch Series 6 models are equipped with a U1 chip for Ultra Wideband support, according to tech specs on Apple's website.

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Introduced in iPhone 11 models last year, the U1 chip enables improved spatial awareness. The distance between two devices that support Ultra Wideband can be measured precisely by calculating the time that it takes for a radio wave to pass between the two devices, with much more accuracy than Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi.

Apple has so far only used the technology to power a directional AirDrop feature in iOS 13, but it has promised more exciting use cases in the future. One of those will likely be its rumored AirTags items trackers, which analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously said will support Ultra Wideband, allowing users to locate lost items with greater accuracy.

Earlier this year, MacRumors teamed up with repair site iFixit to confirm that the 2020 iPad Pro lacks the U1 chip, so the fact that it is included in the Apple Watch Series 6 provides reassurance that Apple is still committed to Ultra Wideband.

The lower-cost Apple Watch SE is not equipped with a U1 chip, according to Apple's tech specs.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

LFC2020 Avatar
58 months ago

So I know bringing this guy up anywhere near these forms gives some people spontaneous brain aneurysms but...
[MEDIA=twitter]1305953947157499906[/MEDIA]
So full of himself, it's not funny.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Toratek Avatar
58 months ago

is it true they got rid of the sapphire glass on the front of the Apple Watch on the stainless steel models?
No, it is not true.




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Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Crzyrio Avatar
58 months ago

Who really loses there watch
It's not about finding your watch. Its about telling other devices where exactly your watches is.

So when you go to open your front door, the opener knows your watch is EXACTLY 2 cms from the door handle and can unlock it as you reach for it.

Untill now smart locks had to make guesses when your going to open the door based on where you have been.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farewelwilliams Avatar
58 months ago
hope Tesla implements CarKey. would be nice to just wave at the door to unlock instead of relying on sketchy bluetooth via iPhone for distance monitoring.

I believe CarKey will eventually use U1 for passive entry.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DudeDad Avatar
58 months ago
Here's a screen shot from Apple's site comparing the Series 6 (left), SE (middle), Series 3 (right) - Looks like the front and back of all Series 6 watches are sapphire

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Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Corsig Avatar
58 months ago
Dammit. They keep giving me reasons to buy it
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)