Report: iPhone 13 to Support LEO Satellite Communications, Allowing Calls and Texts without Cellular Coverage

Tsing

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Image: Apple



The latest iPhone is rumored to come with a killer feature that goes beyond the usual processor, screen, and camera upgrades that Apple traditionally blesses its new smartphones with every year.



According to reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 13 will include support for low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication. This is a very exciting development, as the feature would allow users to make calls and/or send texts even in areas devoid of cellular coverage.



Kuo pointed out that the hardware would be able to connect to LEO satellites in a note sent to investors. The claim doesn’t seem very far fetched, as the iPhone 13 will reportedly leverage a Qualcomm X60 baseband chip. This is a chip that supports satellite communications.



LEO connectivity will likely be provided to iPhone 13 users by Globalstar, an American...
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But what satellites? Magellan? I don't know what other sat phone companies are around...
 
Burticus said:
But what satellites? Magellan? I don't know what other sat phone companies are around...
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LEO connectivity will likely be provided to iPhone 13 users by Globalstar, an American satellite communications company that already runs an LEO satellite network for satellite phones and low-speed data communications. Customers of a partner network operator would be able to use Globalstar’s service with no additional contracts or payments required.
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You know, I'm not an Apple fan, but this is actually pretty cool.

But aren't satellite phone plans usually RIDICULOUSLY expensive?
 
Zarathustra said:
You know, I'm not an Apple fan, but this is actually pretty cool.

But aren't satellite phone plans usually RIDICULOUSLY expensive?
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By what standard? year 2000 yea they were considered crazy expensive... but so was a thousand dollar phone?

Lets see what google says.

Prices vary but there is only ONE satellite phone on the market that is smart that I saw in a quick search and best price I found for it was 1200 dollars basically.

That's in line with smart phones today.

But... it did have a big honkin antenna on it... so maybe that is an issue.
 
Grimlakin said:
but would that make them cheaper or more expensive? I'm betting a 200 dollar premium.
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It would make them need a bigass antenna to reach geosync orbit. That's like 22k miles out. NEO is like.. a few hundred. Longer than cellular, but not bigly longer.

As far as service goes - I don't know. Probably cheaper to run geosync, since you only need a few high powered satellites, whereas NEO you need to blanket a large swath with small low power sats. Couldn't say the cost differential though, just guess.
 
Brian_B said:
It would make them need a bigass antenna to reach geosync orbit. That's like 22k miles out. NEO is like.. a few hundred. Longer than cellular, but not bigly longer.

As far as service goes - I don't know. Probably cheaper to run geosync, since you only need a few high powered satellites, whereas NEO you need to blanket a large swath with small low power sats. Couldn't say the cost differential though, just guess.
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Well considering apple is pulling in 15 billion dollars a year just to have google as the default search engine I think they can afford a satellite network if they want one or just to buy time on the Tesla satellites. ;)
 
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