Apple iPhone SE (2020) Misses Out on Ultra-Wideband Locator Chip

iPhone SE (2020) has Wi-Fi 6 connectivity that is rated to deliver up to 40 percent faster download speeds over Wi-Fi 802.11ac (now called Wi-Fi 5).

Advertisement
By Jagmeet Singh | Updated: 16 April 2020 17:52 IST
Highlights
  • iPhone SE (2020) has support for Express Cards with power reserve
  • There is also Wi-Fi 6 that would bring faster download speeds
  • iPhone SE (2020) doesn’t include U1 Ultra-wideband chip

New Apple iPhone SE is designed mainly as an upgrade to the iPhone 8

Apple on Wednesday unveiled the anticipated iPhone SE (2020) as its latest iPhone model. While the new iPhone is designed mainly as an upgrade to the dated iPhone 8 that was launched in September 2017, there are some new connectivity options that make it closer to the flagship iPhone 11 series. One of these additions is support for Express Cards with power reserve. The new iPhone SE also supports Wi-Fi 6, mainly because of the inclusion of A13 Bionic SoC. However, Apple hasn't added the U1 Ultra-wideband chip that is available on the iPhone 11 family to enable spatial awareness.

The technical specifications listed on the Apple site show how the new iPhone SE are closer to the iPhone 11 models. They include support for Express Cards with power reserve support. As noted by MacRumors, Express Cards support is also present on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models and is designed to authenticate Express Transit cards even when the iPhone has no battery charge left. Apple may use the power reserve technology for its “CarKey” function that would debut in the future to make modern iPhone models work in place of a traditional car key.

Advertisement

Alongside supporting Express Cards, the iPhone SE (2020) has Wi-Fi 6 connectivity that is rated to deliver up to 40 percent faster download speeds over Wi-Fi 802.11ac (now called Wi-Fi 5). There is also NFC support along with a reader mode.

However, Apple hasn't provided the U1 Ultra-wideband chip that first arrived on the iPhone 11 models last year. The chip provides spatial awareness that enhances location tracking and upgrades AirDrop with the ability to share content simply by pointing the compatible device. The Cupertino company calls it “GPS at the scale of the living room.”

Apple may expand the use of its U1 chip in the future, through the Bluetooth tracking AirTags. However, you won't be able to experience the advancements if you're getting the iPhone SE (2020).


Is iPhone SE the ultimate 'affordable' iPhone for India? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.

 
REVIEW
  • Design
  • Display
  • Software
  • Performance
  • Battery Life
  • Camera
  • Value for Money
  • Good
  • Modern processor
  • Slim, light, easy to use
  • Good daylight camera performance
  • Regular iOS updates likely for many years
  • Bad
  • Dated looks and small screen
  • Single rear camera
  • Average battery life
  • Expensive
 
KEY SPECS
Display 4.70-inch
Front Camera 7-megapixel
Rear Camera 12-megapixel
Storage 64GB
OS iOS 13
Resolution 750x1334 pixels
NEWS

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Further reading: iPhone SE 2020, iPhone, Apple, iPhone SE
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Here's When Apple's 'Pro and Tell' Launch Event Takes Place
  2. Samsung Galaxy F70 5G With a 5,000mAh Battery Goes on Sale in India
  3. OnePlus 16 vs iQOO 16: Price and Specifications Compared
  4. Best Phones With Telephoto Cameras Under Rs. 40,000
  5. Silicon-Carbon vs Lithium-Ion Batteries: Which One Should You Get?
  1. Samsung Galaxy F70 5G With 5,000mAh Battery, 50-Megapixel Camera Goes on Sale in India: Price, Offers
  2. Apple ‘Pro and Tell’ Event Set for Next Week; First MacBook With Touchscreen, New iPad Mini and More Expected to Launch
  3. Cysic Shuts Down Bridge After Attacker Illegally Creates 10 Million CYS Tokens
  4. JPM Coin Arrives on Ethereum as JPMorgan Expands Institutional Payments
  5. Vivo V80 FE Reportedly Spotted on BIS Certification Website, India Launch Seems Imminent
  6. Airtel’s New Recharges in India Announced: Rs. 185, Rs. 203 and Rs. 206 Voice-Only Plans Details
  7. Vivo X500 Ultra Leak Reveals Launch Timeline, Chipset, Display and Key Specifications
  8. iQOO Neo 12 Launch Date Announced; Design, Colour Options Teased
  9. Qubic Halts Chain as Attacker Exploits Weak Seeds to Drain 1,400 Wallets
  10. iPhone Duo Battery Capacity Revealed Days Before Foldable Goes on Sale
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.