On Tuesday, Apple unveiled its new iPhone lineup, with the biggest highlights centered on connectivity: Thread radio is included across all models along with ultra-wideband (UWB).
Apple first added Thread radios to the iPhone 15 Pro, later expanding the technology to certain Mac and iPad models. This year, however, marks a significant shift: every model in the iPhone 17 lineup (also iPhone Air) now includes Thread powered by the new Apple N1 chip. It’s a bold move, likely increasing the manufacturing cost for the base models. While the inclusion of UWB across the board is similarly important, setting the stage for the upcoming Aliro standard for smart doorlocks.
A bigger role in the smart home
Previously, adding new smart home accessories to Apple Home required a dedicated hub, like a HomePod or Apple TV. For Thread-based Matter and HomeKit devices in particular, only newer Apple hubs could properly manage the network.
While Apple eventually allowed some accessories to be added without a hub, direct communication with Thread devices requires a Thread radio in the phone itself. With Thread built into the new iPhones, users can connect to and control these accessories directly and more reliably, even if their main home hub is offline.
This also brings a new level of mobility to the Apple Home ecosystem, making it practical for use cases outside the traditional home, such as in recreational vehicles or while camping.
Looking ahead, this could pave the way for features like the “Thread-only commissioning” for Matter, where the iPhone’s built-in radio would be essential.
The other major feature enabled by this hardware push is Aliro, a new universal standard for access control that is expected to launch soon. Developed by the CSA, Aliro is primarily designed for easy access like smart lock management and will allow for deep, system-level integration with digital wallets like Apple Wallet (via Home Key) and Samsung Wallet. The standard works over Bluetooth, NFC, and UWB, with the last being the most seamless and precise tech for communication between a phone and a lock–the same technology that powers precision finding in Apple’s Find My network.
With the Aliro standard launching later this year, the entire new iPhone lineup will be positioned to take full advantage of it, unlike the budget-focused iPhone 16e, which was released earlier this year without UWB.
Apple and Google have been deliberate in adding Thread and UWB to their devices, primarily to bolster their smart home ecosystems. This latest move by Apple will likely pressure other phone makers, such as Samsung – another active Matter adopter – to follow.
(Source: Apple; Image Source: Apple)
