How likely is satellite communication in the upcoming iPhone 13?

[Matt Hixson]

Rumors on the interwebs are beginning to circulate that the iPhone 13 will support Globalstar satellite communication. How likely would this be without some kind of external antenna?

Apple iPhone 13 to reportedly feature satellite connectivity

Hardware will allow it to make calls and send texts in areas lacking cellular coverage, according to an analyst's note.

www.cnet.com

 

[94Cruiser]

Now how about for an Android...

 

[MazeVX]

Seems to be very unlikely... Even though the used chipset might technically support the needed frequency bands, it doesn't mean that it is used or even activated.

Maybe they will have a "pro" version than can use satellite communication.

Having a powerful chipset and not using it is quite typical, for example the GPS chipsets are often capable of doing much more than they are allowed to, because the common user does not need a full feature GPS with high accuracy, same as the satellite coms, 99% will never need it...

 

[Matt Hixson]

Seems to be very unlikely...

Yeah, I intend to agree with most of that. If it does happen though I think it'd be more likely that Apple would have chosen Starlink.

 

[DRAX]

Yeah, I intend to agree with most of that. If it does happen though I think it'd be more likely that Apple would have chosen Starlink.

Well, Starlink is a totally different kind of satellite communications service. It doesn't compete with the services the chipset supports that Apple may end up using. Starlink is for satellite internet access from fixed locations, whereas satellite comms via services like Globalstar (the one mentioned in the article linked in this thread), Iridium, and Inmarsat would be utilized for voice/data comms from mobile devices.

The reason Globalstar was mentioned as being likely is because that is the service that Qualcomm helped start as a joint venture and it's the Qualcomm chipset, not Apple's own chipset, that would support that kind of communication. Apple has been using Qualcomm chipsets for comms for years.

I think it would be great to have satellite comms support in a mainstream mobile phone, but I think it's unlikely that it will happen here if only for the fact that I don't see how a suitable satellite antenna would be able to fit inside the body of an iPhone. Additionally, enabling satellite comms would be a huge battery drain when there's poor or no signal coverage. Anyone with a Garmin inReach will be able to tell you how quickly the battery drains when it keeps trying to sync.

It's just not feasible, IMO.

 

[Matt Hixson]

Well, Starlink is a totally different kind of satellite communications service. It doesn't compete with the services the chipset supports that Apple may end up using. Starlink is for satellite internet access from fixed locations, whereas satellite comms via services like Globalstar (the one mentioned in the article linked in this thread), Iridium, and Inmarsat would be utilized for voice/data comms from mobile devices.

The reason Globalstar was mentioned as being likely is because that is the service that Qualcomm helped start as a joint venture and it's the Qualcomm chipset, not Apple's own chipset, that would support that kind of communication. Apple has been using Qualcomm chipsets for comms for years.

I think it would be great to have satellite comms support in a mainstream mobile phone, but I think it's unlikely that it will happen here if only for the fact that I don't see how a suitable satellite antenna would be able to fit inside the body of an iPhone. Additionally, enabling satellite comms would be a huge battery drain when there's poor or no signal coverage. Anyone with a Garmin inReach will be able to tell you how quickly the battery drains when it keeps trying to sync.

It's just not feasible, IMO.

Right. I'm thinking that the rumors of having satellite comms may be correct, and the chipset wrong. Considering how Apple likes to do things I can see an Apple commercial with someone Facetiming with Grandma from their hike in the wilds of the Olympic Peninsula. This would be in line with exactly what Starlink was built for. This is all absolute wild speculation, of course. But I guess we're now on the record. :)

 

[Mr. McPickle]

It'll happen. Text-based emergency communications only, at least at first. Could be a good substitute for Garmin InReach.

 

[Road]

From eight hours ago; a little fuel for this thread:

The next iPhone's rumored satellite calls might only work in certain areas

This year's new iPhone might only offer satellite communication in limited areas without satellite coverage.

www.engadget.com

That caption in the box above should actually read: "in limited areas without cellular coverage"

 

[Billiebob]

kinda cool to have something more compact than this