Samsung is looking into adding UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technology to its earbuds, as shown by a patent application it filed in November 2023.
What is UWB?
Ultra-Wideband is a short-range wireless communication technology that functions at very high frequencies, ranging from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. This tech allows for accurate location tracking and fast data transfer over brief distances while using minimal power. Unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, UWB can pinpoint objects with centimeter-level accuracy.
Benefits for Future Galaxy Buds
The Galaxy S and Z series smartphones already feature this technology, which could improve the location tracking of the upcoming Galaxy Buds when paired with those devices.
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Enhanced Audio Quality
UWB offers greater bandwidth than Bluetooth, potentially leading to better audio transmission. Sammobile thinks this could result in higher-fidelity sound in the Galaxy Buds. The patent mentions a new way of connecting the earbuds to the phone using both Bluetooth and UWB. However, the phone or any device must also support UWB, which could make it a premium feature initially available to a limited audience.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
What makes this development intriguing is the chance that other brands might adopt this technology and create a seamless connection within their ecosystems. Eventually, most devices from different brands could include UWB, allowing them to work together much like Bluetooth does today.
Patent Application Insights
The patent abstract states: “A method for controlling a set of wireless earphones, including: establishing a first Bluetooth (BT) connection between a first earphone of the set of wireless earphones and a source apparatus; based on the source apparatus supporting Ultra Wide Band (UWB) connections: establishing a first UWB connection between the first earphone and the source apparatus, and a second UWB connection between a second earphone of the set of wireless earphones and the source apparatus; and receiving, by the first earphone, audio data from the source apparatus using the first UWB connection, wherein the audio data is received from the source apparatus by the second earphone using the second UWB connection.”
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