Why you need ultra-wideband on your next phone
Coming soon to smart locks and perhaps even wireless earbuds
Besides the difference in screen size, the latest Samsung Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 are practically identical phones. But Samsung has again omitted a less-known feature on the Galaxy S25 — ultra-wideband (or UWB for short).
Ultra-wideband is why Apple AirTags are so accurate. This short-range wireless communication technology offers incredible precision of around 10cm compared with about a metre for Bluetooth. And the technology is starting to make its way into other applications besides tracking objects. To unlock cars, for example, with vehicles from major carmakers like BMW, Mercedes Benz, Toyota, and Hyundai among others, supporting this feature.
Smart door locks with UWB are also on the cards. What makes these locks more attractive than those that use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is their precision, which enables them to unlock automatically when you reach your doorstep. In addition, UWB is also more secure. At CES last month, several of these UWB smart locks were on show, such as the Ultraloq Bolt Mission, though it probably won’t be available outside the US at launch.
But it’s not just locks and smart home devices that can benefit from UWB. Samsung recently filed a patent to use ultra-wideband, which can achieve a higher bit-rate, to deliver hi-res audio to wireless headphones.
However, most smartphones currently still lack ultra-wideband, despite the technology been around for several years now. You’re in luck if you use an iPhone, but for Android users, only the top phones from Google and Samsung have this feature. Perhaps more smartphone makers will embrace this technology soon. If you’re planning to buy a smartphone to last you for five or more years, I suggest getting one with ultra-wideband. It may come in handy sooner than you’d expect.
This week, we checked out the latest installment in the Civilization franchise, which includes a new game mechanic that may prove divisive. We also reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S25 phones, which are very incremental upgrades, and the ultra-slim and compact Ugreen Nexode Pro 65W charger.
Civilization VII changes up the formula for this popular, long-running 4X strategy game. A new game mechanic breaks up the game into three distinct portions, and gives players the option to choose a new civilisation for the upcoming age. This age reset may feel a bit jarring and annoying for some players. But there’s definitely potential there that may just need some fine-tuning.
The latest Samsung Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 are mostly the same phones as their predecessors, except for a new processor. Instead, Samsung is focusing on the Galaxy AI features and the new One UI 7 interface, which depending on the user, may be hit or miss. In addition, these features are likely to come to older Galaxy S phones in the near future. Don’t upgrade unless your Samsung phone is four years or older.
With a compact build that’s about the size of a small mouse, the Ugreen Nexode Pro is an ultra-slim charger that works for laptops (65W charging). It’s a bit more bulky if you’re using it with the included UK adapter instead of the retractable two-pin flat prongs. You do have to pay a bit of a premium (around S$76) for the portability.