Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the “iPhone 13” will have the ability to use satellite communications, thanks to a custom baseband chip.
In a note to investors, seen by AppleInsider Ming-Chi Kuo says the Qualcomm X60 baseband chip that Apple is expected to use in the “iPhone 13” will support low-Earth orbit satellite communications. It is based on Qualcomm’s work with Globalstar, making the latter the most likely partner for the effort.
“There are many potential scenarios for Apple’s business model cooperation with Globalstar,” Kuo writes. “The simplest scenario is that if the user’s operator has already joined Globalstar, the user can directly use Globalstar’s satellite communication service on the iPhone 13 through the Globalstar service. the operator “.
If the report is accurate, it will not be the first smartphone to support satellite communications, but it will be the first general model to do so. Kuo says other providers who want satellite communications features will have to wait a year until sometime in 2022 and will have to use the next X65 baseband chip.
It is currently unclear what Apple will have done with the X60 to support satellite communications. It is also unclear what Apple will have to implement for an array of antennas needed for the technology, which differs from LTE or 5G antennas. Most satellite phones resemble the classic design of Nokia phones, with a visible antenna and, in some cases, some other external equipment for capturing and relaying the satellite signal.
Kuo also believes this is just Apple’s first foray into technology. The inclusion in the “iPhone 13” is called “innovative user experiences that can be integrated with new products.” Specifically, Kuo points out that a screen mounted on the head of Apple or Apple Car will be enhanced by integrating satellite technology along with the 5G millimeter wave network.
Apple is expected to introduce the “iPhone 13” range in the fall, as part of its annual product line update. Beyond Sunday’s satellite communications report, rumors have also called for several camera changes, including increased sensor resolution, larger lenses, and the addition of autofocus to Pro models.
There has also been some debate as to whether Apple will adhere to the existing 3 and 2 cameras of the Pro and Standard models, respectively, or move to a 4-camera configuration. Meanwhile, it is said that LiDAR will only stay on the Pro models for one more year.
According to Kuo, the “iPhone 13 Pro” models will add a new ultra-wide camera lens with autofocus, a feature that will apparently extend to non-Pro models launched in 2022.