New iPhones have Qualcomm satellite modem, new Apple radio chips
By Stephen Nellis
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (Reuters) – Apple Inc’s iPhone 14 fashions include a Qualcomm Inc chip that may speak to satellites, however have extra custom-designed Apple elements used within the telephone’s largest new function, in accordance with an evaluation of the telephone by iFixit and an Apple assertion.
Apple launched its iPhone 14 lineup on Friday. One of many main new options is the flexibility to connect with satellites to ship emergency messages when there is no such thing as a WiFi or mobile knowledge connection.
Apple mentioned earlier this month that the iPhone 14 fashions include new {hardware} that makes doable the emergency message service, which Apple plans to activate with a software program replace coming in November. Apple didn’t give particulars in regards to the satellite-specific {hardware}.
iFixit, a San Luis Obispo, California-based agency that disassembles iPhones and different shopper electronics to evaluate how simply they are often repaired, took aside an iPhone 14 Professional Max mannequin on Friday, revealing a Qualcomm X65 modem chip.
The Qualcomm chip gives 5G connectivity for mobile networks however can be able to utilizing what known as band n53, the frequency band utilized by satellites from Globalstar.
Globalstar earlier this month introduced a deal through which Apple will take as much as 85% of Globalstar’s satellite tv for pc community capability to allow Apple’s new emergency messaging function.
In an announcement to Reuters on Saturday, Apple mentioned there’s extra proprietary {hardware} and software program within the iPhone 14 for the brand new messaging function.
“iPhone 14 consists of {custom} radio frequency elements, and new software program designed totally by Apple, that collectively allow Emergency SOS by way of satellite tv for pc on new iPhone 14 fashions,” Apple mentioned in an announcement.
Qualcomm didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Luis Obispo, California; Modifying by Leslie Adler)
