Satellite connectivity on the iPhone is the kind of feature that you don't pay any attention to until you really need it. Apple's been slowly improving the ability to stay connected when there's no cell signal, and according to a new report from The Information this could culminate in the iPhone 18 Pro being able to connect to satellite 5G services.
That's notable for a number of reasons. The first is that satellite support on iPhone is currently limited to the emergency SOS feature and limited iMessage support. There's no option for anything more substantial, meaning you currently can't use a satellite signal to video call, access the internet, or make phone calls. Adding 5G satellite support could change that.
What's the plan?
The Information's report adds that this could see a deal struck between Apple and SpaceX, to bring Starlink connectivity to the iPhone in the future. It's noted that Starlink has started supporting the same spectrum utilized by Globalstar, the company that powers satellite connectivity on iPhone and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
It's possible that this change could see Starlink internet come to the iPhone without Apple having to make serious, if any, changes to the iPhone 18 Pro's satellite transceiver hardware.
Starlink is technically available on iPhones within the U.S. already. SpaceX signed a deal with T-Mobile to bring satellite support to Android and iPhone users earlier this year — though it was limited to text and picture messaging at the time. T-Mobile did promise that certain apps would be able to connect to satellite data connections, such as WhatsApp, Elon Musk-owned X, AccuWeather and more.
But together it's still a far cry from full internet access, and it was reported that SpaceX had previously attempted to pitch the idea of full Starlink connectivity on iPhones. However, it's claimed that Apple rejected the offer. But who knows, things may change if the iPhone 18 Pro is heading to receive this particular satellite upgrade.
5G internet from satellite — the good and the bad
Of course, the question is whether you'd actually want to have access to 5G internet all the time. There are some benefits to having the option, but there are also some downsides.
The major benefit is that you should, theoretically, be able to communicate via the internet regardless of where you are. It doesn't matter if there's no cell service or a stable 5G connection. All you'd need is access to the open sky.
Crucially, you won't be restricted on how you communicate, since 5G internet should give you access to all the best messaging apps and best video chat apps — rather than just the emergency systems.
We've already heard plenty of stories about how emergency SOS with satellites has saved people who were stuck or injured in the wilderness, so expanding the ways people can keep in touch with the outside world can only be a good thing. If it saves even one more life, it's well worth the effort of setting it up.
The downside is, of course, that you're never really disconnected. If someone wants to get a hold of you for some mundane reason, they can still do that. Maybe they're contacting you because it's important, or maybe it's just because they're bored and want you to help pass the time.
Not to mention the fact that you're not really disconnecting, and could spend your adventure in the boonies doomscrolling TikTok.
Or, perhaps even worse, you may find yourself surrounded by people who refuse to disconnect and enjoy the moment. It doesn't matter if you have the willpower to disconnect if you're being shadowed by someone watching obnoxious videos with no headphones at full volume.
All of that is, of course, provided you're paying for the extra 5G service. While Apple has been generous with emergency satellite services and not charged users to call for help, I can't see that same generosity being extended to full 5G service. And who knows how much a Starlink to iPhone connection will cost?
A Starlink roaming plan on its own costs $50 a month for 50GB of data, or $165 for unlimited, which is a lot to have to pay on top of your existing data plan. Considering satellite connectivity needs a clear line of sight to the sky, you might still need that traditional data plan as well.
We'll have to see how this plays out, and whether the iPhone 18 Pro really does get the satellite upgrade. Because if not, all this speculation is completely pointless.
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