The iPhone 18 may be the first phone to get full satellite connectivity

Macworld

Ever since it was introduced on the iPhone 14 in 2022, satellite connectivity has been available, but with limitations. That could change next year, according to The Information, which reports that Apple has plans to support “5G networks that aren’t tethered to Earth’s surface, which includes satellites.” Such support “would give the iPhone full internet access over satellite.”

It has also been reported that Apple may change the release cycle for the standard iPhone models, so the iPhone 18 may be released in the spring of 2027, at the same time as the iPhone 18e. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will stay on a fall release schedule, to be joined by the new folding iPhone. With that new cycle in place, satellite connectivity could make its debut with the iPhone 18 Pro and the first folding iPhone in 2026.

However, the current state of satellite connectivity is limited to emergency services, and there is no existing service that provides 5G over satellite for regular use. In the U.S., there are two ways users can use satellite with an iPhone 14 or later: Apple provides service for use with the Emergency SOS feature, Find My, and Messages; and T-Mobile offers a mobile service package that includes Starlink satellite, which has limited abilities.

It is not clear if the 5G satellite service would be ready in time for the iPhone 18 Pro release. Apple currently works with Globalstar for its satellite connectivity, but Globalstar appears to be on shaky ground–it is looking to be acquired and has recently stated that any loss of a major partner would severely impact its financials. The Information states that Apple and SpaceX (which provides the Starlink service) could work out a deal, as SpaceX recently implemented support for the iPhone’s satellite radio spectrum.