After experiencing a disappointing 2020 in the hardware of the Pixel flagship device, Google may surprise fans with some powerful Pixel 6 features. According to reports, Google is already developing a foldable Pixel phone and manufacturing its own system-on-chip (SoC) processor. The latter may make its debut this year, providing computing support for at least one Pixel 6 device.
The 5-nanometer processor called Whitechapel (GS101) is being developed in cooperation with Samsung. This SoC not only helps Google reduce its dependence on Qualcomm, but also allows it to provide customers with a feature that has only been available on the iPhone so far. The SoC customized for the Pixel will allow Google to fine-tune the performance of the Android system and control more aspects of the hardware, just like Apple did for iOS and iPad OS.
A new discovery indicates that Google may add another chip already used on the iPhone to the Pixel 6 series, an ultra-wideband (UWB) processor, which can provide the basis for some exciting new Pixel features. iPhone 11 is Apple’s first iPhone with UWB technology. This new wireless protocol allows Apple to provide a feature called “precise search” for lost devices.
I’ve just been informed that Google is testing support for Android 12’s Ultra-wideband (UWB) API on “raven”, one of the code-names that could belong to the GS101-powered next-gen Pixels.
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) April 30, 2021
This technology enables users to locate their lost items within a few inches, whether it is an iPhone or a new AirTag tracker with a built-in U1 chip. UWB technology is also used in other applications, such as transferring content between the iPhone and HomePod mini speakers. If both gadgets use UWB chips like U1, the AirDrop function can also be improved.
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Google’s interest in this technology is not surprising, not only by adding UWB SoC to its new phones to ensure that Pixel 6 phones are comparable to iPhone 12, but this technology may also have direct uses. For example, Google can rely on UWB to improve the connection between Pixel phones and smart home devices, and it can also be used for tracking purposes.
This is not to say that Google will build its own AirTag-like tracker, because this is just one of the various UWB-based functions provided to users. But all of this is just speculation at the moment because Google will not announce the Pixel 6 until October. It is unclear whether it plans to talk about UWB at Google’s 2021 I/O conference in a few weeks.
The evidence we currently have is that Google is testing support for the Android 12 UWB API on “Raven” (one of the internal codenames of Pixel 6). Mishaal Rahman of xda-developers and 9to5Google both revealed various aspects of Google’s interest in UWB technology. The latter also claimed to have seen documents that Google is working with Qorvo to develop UWB hardware.
Google is expected to release three Pixel phones this year. The Pixel 5a phone, which looks almost the same as the Pixel 4a 5G, will be launched first. Then, two Pixel 6 devices are expected to be launched in the fall. In addition to Raven, there is also a codename of “Oriole”, which belongs to an unreleased Pixel phone. If these recent reports from reliable sources are accurate, all Pixel 6 phones may support ultra-wideband connections.
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