The AirPods Pro 3, launching this week, brings an improved Precision Finding feature powered by a new U2 chip. But there’s a catch: the full benefits are limited to the iPhone 17 lineup and the new iPhone Air.
Precision Finding uses ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to guide you to lost items with AR directions on your iPhone screen, showing arrows and distance readouts down to inches. In the AirPods Pro 3, the charging case now features a second-generation U2 chip, which extends the tracking range to up to 200 feet—a significant jump from the U1 chip in earlier models like the AirPods Pro 2. Apple claims this new generation of Ultra Wideband technology delivers a 1.5x increase in distance over the previous generation.
The U2 chip isn’t new—Apple first rolled it out in the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, branding it as the “second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.” It improves on the original U1 by handling more complex signals for better accuracy without guzzling battery life. However, the real upgrade in the AirPods Pro 3 comes from how the U2 interacts with your iPhone. While older devices with the U2 chip will still support basic Precision Finding, they won’t unlock that full 1.5x range extension.
According to Apple’s fine print on their AirPods Pro page, the enhanced Precision Finding works with the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. This means if you’re rocking an iPhone 15 or 16, you’ll get the U2 benefits but miss out on the extra range. The iPhone 17 series, set to launch on September 19 alongside the AirPods Pro 3, includes advanced UWB support, possibly enhanced by the new N1 chip.
Pre-orders for the AirPods Pro 3 are live now at $249, with shipping starting September 19. Stay updated with the latest news and deals by downloading the Appleosophy App from the App Store or by visiting our website.
