New iPhones have Qualcomm satellite modem, new Apple radio chips

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Sept 17 (Reuters) – Apple Inc’s (AAPL.O) iPhone 14 fashions include a Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) chip that may speak to satellites, however have extra custom-designed Apple elements used within the telephone’s largest new characteristic, in accordance with an evaluation of the telephone by iFixit and an Apple assertion.

Apple launched its iPhone 14 lineup on Friday. One of the most important new options is the flexibility to hook up with satellites to ship emergency messages when there is no such thing as a WiFi or mobile knowledge connection.

Apple stated earlier this month that the iPhone 14 fashions include new {hardware} that makes potential 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 client electronics to evaluate how simply they are often repaired, took aside an iPhone 14 Pro Max mannequin on Friday, revealing a Qualcomm X65 modem chip.

The Qualcomm chip supplies 5G connectivity for mobile networks however can also be able to utilizing what is named band n53, the frequency band utilized by satellites from Globalstar (GSAT.A).

Globalstar earlier this month introduced a deal during which Apple will take as much as 85% of Globalstar’s satellite community capability to allow Apple’s new emergency messaging characteristic.

In an announcement to Reuters on Saturday, Apple stated there’s extra proprietary {hardware} and software program within the iPhone 14 for the new messaging characteristic.

“iPhone 14 contains {custom} radio frequency elements, and new software program designed completely by Apple, that collectively allow Emergency SOS by way of satellite on new iPhone 14 fashions,” Apple stated in an announcement.

Qualcomm didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Luis Obispo, California; Editing by Leslie Adler

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