Last week, we listed eight new AirPods Pro 3 features, including a U2 chip in the charging case. The addition of the U2 chip has been receiving a lot of attention since then, so we wanted to single out its inclusion and discuss it in more detail.
Until now, Apple only referred to the U2 chip as a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, but it is no longer shying away from using a name that might remind Apple fans of the free U2 album that was infamously added to everyone’s iTunes account in 2014.
Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip debuted a few years ago, in all iPhone 15 models and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The chip enables a location-tracking range of up to 200 feet/60 meters, which is up to 3× longer range compared to Apple’s first-generation U1 chip in the AirPods Pro 2 charging case, AirTag, and more.
Accordingly, the main benefit of the U2 chip in the AirPods Pro 3 case is up to 3× longer range compared to the U1 chip in the AirPods Pro 2 case, so you can locate the case with the Find My app’s Precision Finding feature at longer distances, in the unfortunate event that you lose or misplace your AirPods Pro 3 somewhere around you.
The long-rumored AirTag 2 is also expected to be equipped with the U2 chip.
AirPods Pro 3 are available to pre-order now, and they launch on Friday.
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