iFixit: iPhone's SOS via satellite feature uses the Qualcomm X65 modem and custom hardware

19 September 2022
The X65 supports the n53 band used by Globalstar's satellites.

Sort by:

  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • EUk
  • 09 Dec 2022

Anonymous, 19 Sep 2022All this is apparently difficult to comprehend for many. ... moreGarmin inReach® Subscription Plan is les that $15 per month.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • EUk
    • 09 Dec 2022

    Anonymous, 19 Sep 2022in china this tech already obsolete they already launch 6g ... more6G... ha ha! Where do you get your news from?

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • EUk
      • 09 Dec 2022

      SShock, 19 Sep 2022Well, GPS is American satellite system and since satellite ... moreGPS Subscription????? Amazing that you know nothing of the technology.

      And US is not the only country with a satellite based positioning system. US - GGPS, Europe - Galileo, Russia - GLONASS, China - BeiDou, India - NaviC. And none of them needs permission or subscription (it is a receive only system). SOS is a messaging service using another set of satellites. If a country or region is not covered, it is due to location or legal limitations of that country.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • EUk
        • 09 Dec 2022

        There is no 6G modem in the industry. There is no specifications to make it yet.

        Apple does not have a modem to build 6G or SOS it is all Qualcomm. Apple takes solutions from different vendors and integrates it (some major parts like the application processor are their own of course). "Designed in California, manufactured in China"

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • 0Tk
          • 20 Sep 2022

          Anonymous, 19 Sep 2022in china this tech already obsolete they already launch 6g ... moreYou know this how? Because you don't even understand what Apple is doing, or because you have never set foot in the US?

          As far as we know, Apple had the hardware ready for the iPhone 13, but could not strike a deal with a provider. Now they have a deal with Globalstar, just after T-Mobile struck a deal with SpaceX.

          As posted earlier, the difficult part for Apple is to strike deals with carriers and governments, which is why it's not available worldwide. But of course, this is all lost on many who post first, think later (if ever).

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • u7V
            • 20 Sep 2022

            Anonymous, 20 Sep 2022Who makes a "6g" modem and which devices are usin... morethats why they banned from chip they have the design 6g but they cant produced it just like kirin cpu Huawei way ahead from others

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • kZg
              • 20 Sep 2022

              Anonymous, 19 Sep 2022in china this tech already obsolete they already launch 6g ... moreWho makes a "6g" modem and which devices are using it? Genuinely curious. Also, the US does have broadband satellite service for internet available, known as Starlink which can reach globally.

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • nI8
                • 20 Sep 2022

                External modem hurt's IPhone's battery life unfortunately

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • yAK
                  • 20 Sep 2022

                  Anonymous, 19 Sep 2022Do you people think that using satellite is FOC? There is n... moreIf I am not wrong, Huawei Mate 50 users can use the satellites for 30 free messages per month, only with preloaded messages.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • tEZ
                    • 19 Sep 2022

                    Anonymous, 19 Sep 2022Do you people think that using satellite is FOC? There is n... morein china this tech already obsolete they already launch 6g network that use satellite for internet meanwhile usa still stuck in 4g most of them in 3g

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • 0Tk
                      • 19 Sep 2022

                      Anonymous, 19 Sep 2022Do you people think that using satellite is FOC? There is n... moreAll this is apparently difficult to comprehend for many.

                      This is another part of Apple's strategy to enhance personal safety, like fall and crash detection. Accidents and emergencies often happen in remote areas without coverage and this is part of Apple's strategy to address the issue. It's certain that they are working with other providers to make the feature available.

                      Garmin offers a similar service with a dedicated device ($400 plus a subscription), although it is not just for emergency situations, but it allows simple texts as well.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • mbx
                        • 19 Sep 2022

                        Good old Motorola Iridium, even if everyone forgets you we oldschool boys will never.
                        Nowadays, shameless thieves using your legacy withiut calling your name
                        But...
                        We call it, silent or loud.
                        You will hear it.

                          David, 19 Sep 2022All this work and added hardware cost for a feature most pe... moreUSA has quite some reception problems. Assuming everyone lives in the cities is a bold assumption. And satellite communication bandwidth is finite. To maintain service, it has to be payable service.

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • ki$
                            • 19 Sep 2022

                            LucaKirani, 19 Sep 2022Huawei announced this feature before apple yet apple is bei... moreHuawei have worldwide support but apple doesn't

                              • D
                              • David
                              • HCY
                              • 19 Sep 2022

                              All this work and added hardware cost for a feature most people will never use. Plus a subscription you have to pay!

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • nDy
                                • 19 Sep 2022

                                LucaKirani, 19 Sep 2022Huawei announced this feature before apple yet apple is bei... moreIs like me saying that i build the first flying train that can fly over the mountains.....but??? Facts are better than words, real world is better than words and promises

                                  LucaKirani, 19 Sep 2022Huawei announced this feature before apple yet apple is bei... moreAnnouncing it is one thing, releasing it in usable state is another. Isn't this what you always claim for everything Android has done it before?

                                    Huawei announced this feature before apple yet apple is being praised for it.

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • YUU
                                      • 19 Sep 2022

                                      Do you people think that using satellite is FOC? There is no FOC for using satellite communication 🤦🏻‍♂️ Hence why this emergency SOS only available in America. The rest of the world need to wait for Apple to arrange with each country government. My guess the toughest one will be China and Russia.

                                        Olympus Oms, 19 Sep 2022So sad the world is much bigger than ego USA.! Well, GPS is American satellite system and since satellite data is highly valuable and very limited resource, it's only free for first 2 years. On top of that, you need infrastructure and having things in place to receive those transmissions. And it's Apple's home country, which makes it easier with regulators. You need to take all these things into consideration.