Abstract created by Sensible Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Macworld stories that future iPhones might achieve full satellite tv for pc web connectivity past the present emergency SOS function.
- The iPhone 18 Professional may assist NR-NTN know-how via Apple’s C2 modem, enabling international web entry impartial of cell towers.
- A number of dependable leakers and sources together with The Info and Bloomberg corroborate Apple’s plans for broader satellite tv for pc connectivity capabilities.
The iPhone was one of many first telephones to achieve satellite tv for pc connectivity again with the launch of the iPhone 14 in 2022, however this function was meant 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, but it surely wasn’t a lot assist for shopping social media. However a extra accessible general-purpose satellite tv for pc function may very well be coming to the iPhone as quickly as this yr.
In a Weibo submit this week (by way of 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 yr.” That stands for New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks, and refers to a know-how that may join smartphones to the web by way of low-orbit satellites. This may imply you might entry a 5G web connection virtually anyplace on the earth, no matter your distance from a cell tower.
“Huawei acknowledged that it carried out public testing on the finish of final yr, and progress in China is at present slower, however there will probably be excellent news this yr, so hold an eye fixed 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 should not at all times essentially the most dependable, Fastened Focus is among the extra respected names. They appropriately predicted again in August that the iPhone Air would ship with an A19 Professional processor moderately than an A19, and as way back as April 2025 predicted an early-2026 launch for the iPhone 17e, which now appears extraordinarily seemingly.
What’s extra, this isn’t a brand new rumor. Final October, The Info reported that Apple had plans to assist “5G networks that aren’t tethered to Earth’s floor” so as to “give the iPhone full web entry over satellite tv for pc.” And in November, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman corroborated The Info’s principle 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 offer the satellite tv for pc service, even when the latest iPhones had the {hardware} to assist it. However based mostly on Fastened Focus’s optimism, it seems like progress is being made on that entrance.
For all the most recent information and rumors, bookmark our usually up to date iPhone 18 megaguide. And should you can’t wait till the autumn, be sure to get the very best worth on the present fashions with our roundup of the greatest iPhone offers.
