Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is generating excitement in the Android world, not only for its powerful hardware and upgrades but also for its potential to bring ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to a larger number of Android devices. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected to be released soon, and with it, a new era of connectivity for Android smartphones.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite boasts an impressive array of features and improvements, but one of the most notable changes is the inclusion of UWB as a standard feature on the flagship chip. This can open up a whole new front to bring in more manufacturers of Android-style devices, all into the fold of the UWB technology market.
UWB Integration in the FastConnect 7900
The Snapdragon 8 Elite incorporates the FastConnect 7900 connectivity platform, which directly integrates UWB into the chip. This integration saves manufacturers a lot of hassles of having to add extra features of UWB hardware that will make it easier and cheaper to address the technology on their devices.
A Qualcomm representative said, “FastConnect 7900 is a single-chip 6nm solution.” There is no need for OEMs to include additional UWB hardware.” This might be a big plus for the Android market, as this approach to incorporate UWB into devices simplifies the process and reduces the efforts necessary from the UWB manufacturer’s side.
Potential Applications of UWB in Android Devices
UWB is not currently available in most Android devices, mainly due to its low adoption, but in the future close range activities can be effectively supported by UWB. For example, UWB can be used to identify and authenticate Google Wallet digital car keys enabling the users to unlock their vehicles’ doors, and start the engines using just their smart phones.
Yet another area is for making the Find My Device trackers where the use of UWB can give users very accurate location of lost or misplaced items. Still, these features are bound to gain acceptance after sometime due to the support given by Android Manufacturers on the gadget features and technology.
The Future of UWB on Android
The inclusion of UWB directly on the Snapdragon 8 Elite suggests that Qualcomm is betting on the technology’s future in the Android ecosystem. As more devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite hit the market, we can expect to see UWB become more prevalent, even in devices that may have previously lacked the feature, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S25 and Flip 7.
However, the success of UWB on Android will also depend on how manufacturers choose to support the Snapdragon 8 Elite and its integrated UWB capabilities. In the wake of MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and its increased production, it only times its future for the Android ecosystem in terms of chipset adoption and UWB support.
A Step Forward for Android Connectivity
Despite the uncertainties surrounding manufacturer adoption, the integration of UWB in the Snapdragon 8 Elite is a positive development for the Android ecosystem. This paradigm actively contributes to development and manufacturers willingness to utilize new applications supported by this technology and open new possibilities due to UWB features.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s UWB integration marks the beginning of a new chapter in Android connectivity, and it will be exciting to see how the technology evolves and is utilized in the coming years. As consumers, we are on the right track to looking forward to an Android environment that will not only be more published with our devices but also more secure and powerful.
Final Thought
In making UWB part of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, Qualcomm has delivered a key win for the Android ecosystem. Probably, with this chip, UWB may be introduced to more devices because the barrier to entry for manufacturers is decreased, and this is a ready-made solution with the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
It will be all the more interesting to see how manufacturers incorporate Snapdragon 8 Elite and how this UWB is put to use as more and more ways are discovered with each new Android release. One thing is certain: the future of Android connectivity looks Brighter then before, & to play inevitable role in the generation of this variant of connectivity, the Snapdragon 8 Elite has arrived.
