Apple iPhone 17 Pro — will iPhone 18 Pro have improved satellite connectivity built into its hardware?
When Apple releases its next iPhones, almost certainly in September, a new modem is likely to be on board which could transform the satellite capabilities of the smartphones.
Forbes Sony Launches Reon Pocket Pro Plus Wearable Air Conditioner In Time For Summer HeatwavesThe three phones expected, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first folding phone, perhaps called the iPhone Ultra, a rumored to contain a new Apple-branded modem, the Apple C2.
This ‘New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks’ technology integrates satellite connectivity with 5G cellular.”Is 5G NR-NTN Satellite Technology A Game-Changer?
Currently, it’s when another service, such as roadside assistance via satellite, is employed that the user bears extra costs.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro — will iPhone 18 Pro have improved satellite connectivity built into its hardware? AFP via Getty Images
May 26 update: this post, first published on May 24, was updated with more details of what the new satellite features are likely to be.
When Apple releases its next iPhones, almost certainly in September, a new modem is likely to be on board which could transform the satellite capabilities of the smartphones.
Forbes Sony Launches Reon Pocket Pro Plus Wearable Air Conditioner In Time For Summer Heatwaves
The three phones expected, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first folding phone, perhaps called the iPhone Ultra, a rumored to contain a new Apple-branded modem, the Apple C2.
If the mention of a modem is enough for your eyes to glaze over, hold on, it is interesting, honest.
Apple's Custom C2 Modem To Replace Qualcomm “In addition to providing 5G cellular connectivity (replacing Qualcomm modems), C2 will also support 5G over satellite,” 9to5Mac reported.”Specifically, C2 is said to offer 5G NR-NTN. This ‘New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks’ technology integrates satellite connectivity with 5G cellular.”
Is 5G NR-NTN Satellite Technology A Game-Changer? If correct, this would mean Apple’s full satellite services would finally catch up with the features offered by Starlink to carriers such as T-Mobile, which one analyst described as a “game-changer.” MORE FOR YOU When T-Mobile launched its service last year, podcaster Mario Nawfal said on X, “Game-changer: Apple quietly adds Starlink to iPhones…giving users an alternative to their Globalstar service for off-grid communication. The key difference? No more pointing your phone at the sky - Starlink works right from your pocket.” To be clear, the addition of this service did not install Starlink on iPhones, it meant that the carrier, T-Mobile, enabled the capability to access Starlink. It didn’t work for iPhones on other networks, unless they signed up to the T-Satellite contract. This is something which was available for a separate monthly fee to users whose phones were on other carriers. This system would mean that all users with the right iPhone hardware would see the benefits, almost certainly at no cost, and whichever carrier they used. Currently, it’s when another service, such as roadside assistance via satellite, is employed that the user bears extra costs. That said, Apple has not guaranteed that access to satellites will be available free forever — it’s initially offered for two years from the purchase of the handset, though Apple has extended this period for the first phones that had satellite features, such as the iPhone 14 series.
