https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/29/kuo-iphone-13-to-support-leo-satellite-communication-allowing-users-to-make-phone-calls-and-send-texts-without-cell-signal/

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Today

Kuo: iPhone 13 to support LEO satellite communication, allowing users
to make phone calls and send texts without cell signal

Benjamin Mayo

- Aug. 29th 2021 7:37 am PT

@bzamayo

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The iPhone 12 has been a massive sales hit for Apple thanks to the
launch of 5G. It seems Apple wants to keep the momentum by adding
another new radio technology to the iPhone this year. In an investor
note, Ming-Chi Kuo today said that he expects the upcoming iPhone 13
models to feature a low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite communication
mode. This would allow an iPhone 13 user to send messages and make
phone calls, even when they are not within standard 4G/5G cell tower
coverage.

Bloomberg first reported Apple's investigations into using satellite
technology to beam data to iPhones in a story from 2019. However,
this is the first time we have heard that the feature is coming as
part of the 2021 iPhone 13 lineup.

[INS::INS]

In the future, Kuo speculates that LEO satellite communication may
also be used by the upcoming Apple AR headset, the Apple Car and
other Internet-of-Things accessories.

Kuo says that the iPhone 13 will use a customized version of the
Qualcomm X60 baseband modem chip. This chip will support
communications over satellite.

It is unclear if sending messages and making calls over satellite
would only work with Apple services like iMessage and FaceTime, or if
Apple could proxy satellite communications to standard cell towers on
the other end. It is also unclear if satellite features would be
free, like GPS, or would come with associated usage charges.

We currently expect Apple to announce the iPhone 13 lineup in
September. The phones will largely resemble the existing iPhone 12
lineup in screen size and form factor. Expected new features include
upgrades to the camera systems, a high-refresh rate display for the
Pro models, and a smaller display notch. Today's news about satellite
features is certainly the most exciting thing to come out of the
rumor model for this year's phones.

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About the Author

[b10ae05b0d]

Benjamin Mayo

@bzamayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and
rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour
podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or
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