Upcoming iPhone generations will incorporate advanced wireless connectivity hardware for better ecosystem integration with Vision Pro, according to trusted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a series of tweets, Kuo outlined his expectations for more sophisticated wireless hardware for the two upcoming iPhone generations. Firstly, he expects the iPhone 15 lineup to feature a new ultra-wideband (UWB) chip with a significantly denser 7nm fabrication process. Apple’s current U1 chip is built on an old 16nm process, and the denser node is likely to spur “improved performance or reduced power consumption,” adds Kuo.
Apple first introduced its U1 chip in 2019 with the iPhone 11, before later expanding to Apple Watch Series 6 and later, HomePod and HomePod mini, second-generation AirPods Pro charging case, and AirTag. The U1 chip enables precise location tracking for lost devices via Find My, and other features such as precise AirDrop. According to Kuo, the new “U2” chip is part of Apple’s strategy to “aggressively upgrade hardware specifications to build a more competitive ecosystem for Vision Pro.”
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Kuo also expects a more significant Wi-Fi upgrade with the iPhone 16 lineup. The analyst expects Apple to fit its 2024 iPhones with Wi-Fi 7, enabling better “integration of hardware products running on the same local network and provide a better ecosystem experience.” Wi-Fi 7 is significantly faster than Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, with maximum theoretical speeds of 40 gigabits per second. Apple’s most recent iPhone 14 lineup is still limited to Wi-Fi 6 speeds, and the evidence remains unclear whether the iPhone 15 would switch to Wi-Fi 6E.
Vision Pro tech specs
Apple announced its Vision Pro headset at its WWDC 2023 keynote, but many of the headset’s tech specs are still unknown. The company did not disclose Vision Pro’s wireless capabilities beyond Wi-Fi connectivity and compatibility with AirPods, but Kuo’s revelations today likely indicate that Apple is considering the U1 chip or its expected successor for the headset, in addition to at least Wi-Fi 6E for faster connection speeds and lower latency.
