Bloomberg: Apple iPhone 13/Pro series will only support satellite communications in a few markets

     Last week, TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that the upcoming iPhone 13 will support low-Earth orbit satellite communications. However, the media questioned this later, and the service provider Globalstar he mentioned did not respond. Later, an insider revealed that it was only an emergency function.

　　Now, Bloomberg's Gurman says in the latest edition of the Power On newsletter that Apple's satellite functionality will only be available in a few specific markets and won't be relevant to most users.

　　“The emergency feature will only work in areas without any cellular coverage, and only in select markets. Apple does have the opportunity to deploy its own satellite system to transmit data to devices, but that project is at least several years away.”

　　He also said Apple would not let iPhone users make calls when there is no cellular coverage.

　　"I've been asked if these new features mean the iPhone will support satellite phones and be able to make calls anywhere in the world without cellular coverage. The answer is no. Not now, not next year, and not in the foreseeable future."

　　Gurman explained that this feature requires specific hardware, but the system is not yet complete. In addition, this hardware will be "expensive and may cause protests from the communication carriers that Apple relies on."

　　According to a Bloomberg report last week, Apple is working on at least two methods: sending short emergency texts and sending SOS distress signals in response to crises such as plane crashes or shipwrecks in remote areas.

　　At present, Apple will integrate emergency satellite messages into Messages, allowing users to call emergency services and close friends without any mobile phone signal. He revealed that emergency messages will be displayed as gray bubbles, which is different from the blue of traditional iMessage and the green of SMS, and may eventually support phone calls.

　　Apple is expected to officially launch the iPhone 13/Pro series at a press conference on September 14. But I don’t know whether Apple will show customers the satellite communication function. I don’t know what you think about the iPhone’s satellite communication. IT Home friends can share your thoughts with everyone below.