The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite has integrated UWB hardware. However, not all phones with the flagship chipset will support the feature.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite has built-in support for UWB
Apple allows precise location tracking. In fact, this is what makes Apple’s AirTags really good at locating misplaced belongings. Although it is getting better, Google’s Find My Device network isn’t as good, and the reason is that it lacks hardware support for UWB.
Ultra-wideband, or UWB, is a short-range wireless communication protocol. It enables super-precise location tracking. It is an additional radio frequency apart from Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is one of the first chipsets to have integrated hardware support for UWB. This is because the SoC packs the FastConnect 7900 connectivity platform, which supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and UWB.
Previous iterations of the FastConnect platform lacked UWB. This meant OEMs needed to add a separate UWB module. Needless to say, several device manufacturers chose not to because of costs and additional space requirements.
Starting with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, OEMs do not need to add any extra UWB hardware, confirmed Qualcomm. FastConnect 7900 is a single-chip 6nm solution wherein, “all features and capabilities are delivered as a single chip solution,” boasted the company.
Why won’t some smartphones not support UWB?
Despite the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite having integrated UWB support, some smartphones with this chipset won’t support the feature. According to Android Authority, the OnePlus 13, the Realme GT7 Pro, and the Xiaomi 15 are powered by Qualcomm’s flagship chipset, but they do not support UWB. Moreover, some of these devices do not even declare the “android.hardware.uwb” flag, which means the installed Android OS believes there’s no UWB hardware onboard.
A Qualcomm representative has stated, “Snapdragon 8 Elite devices can support UWB thanks to FastConnect 7900, but it’s up to the OEM to determine if they want to utilize the feature.” In other words, device manufacturers will ultimately decide if they want to activate UWB or keep it dormant.
One of the most plausible reasons not to activate UWB would be the varying and complex regulations, and the need to secure prior approval. UWB involves sending out radio waves, and device makers would need to go through the calibration, testing, and certification processes for every country. Since UWB isn’t highly popular with Android device users, manufacturers might be trying to minimize regulatory hassles and costs.
