Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Macworld reviews that future iPhones could acquire full satellite tv for pc web connectivity past the present emergency SOS function.
- The iPhone 18 Professional may assist NR-NTN expertise by means of Apple’s C2 modem, enabling international web entry impartial of cell towers.
- A number of dependable leakers and sources together with The Data and Bloomberg corroborate Apple’s plans for broader satellite tv for pc connectivity capabilities.
The iPhone was one of many first telephones to realize satellite tv for pc connectivity again with the launch of the iPhone 14 in 2022, however this function was supposed primarily as an emergency measure. Break a leg or run out of water when mountaineering within the wilderness, and emergency SOS may save your life, however it wasn’t a lot assist for looking social media. However a extra accessible general-purpose satellite tv for pc function could possibly be coming to the iPhone as quickly as this 12 months.
In a Weibo put up this week (through AppleInsider), leaker Fastened Focus Digital predicts that Apple’s C2 modem (which is predicted to make its debut alongside the A20 processor within the iPhone 18 Professional this fall) “will assist NR-NTN this 12 months.” That stands for New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks, and refers to a expertise that may join smartphones to the web through low-orbit satellites. This may imply you could possibly entry a 5G web connection nearly anyplace on this planet, no matter your distance from a cell tower.
“Huawei acknowledged that it carried out public testing on the finish of final 12 months, and progress in China is at present slower, however there might be excellent news this 12 months, so preserve a watch out,” Fastened Focus provides.
“From this angle, 2026 seems to be a place to begin for satellite tv for pc web entry for numerous cell phone producers.” And that, importantly for us, consists of Apple.
Whereas leakers on the Weibo social community are usually not all the time probably the most dependable, Fastened Focus is without doubt one of the extra respected names. They appropriately predicted again in August that the iPhone Air would ship with an A19 Professional processor somewhat than an A19, and as way back as April 2025 predicted an early-2026 launch for the iPhone 17e, which now appears extraordinarily possible.
What’s extra, this isn’t a brand new rumor. Final October, The Data reported that Apple had plans to assist “5G networks that aren’t tethered to Earth’s floor” with a view to “give the iPhone full web entry over satellite tv for pc.” And in November, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman corroborated The Data’s idea and agreed that the following technology of iPhone would function broader 5G NTN assist.
On the time, there have been some doubts over the obtainable infrastructure, a lot as 5G protection lagged behind the supply of 5G telephones again in 2020. It wasn’t clear who would supply the satellite tv for pc service, even when the most recent iPhones had the {hardware} to assist it. However based mostly on Fastened Focus’s optimism, it feels like progress is being made on that entrance.
For all the most recent information and rumors, bookmark our commonly up to date iPhone 18 megaguide. And if you happen to can’t wait till the autumn, ensure you get the perfect value on the present fashions with our roundup of the greatest iPhone offers.