Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld reports that future iPhones may get full satellite internet connectivity beyond the current SOS emergency feature.
- The iPhone 18 Pro could support NR-NTN technology via the Apple C2 modem, enabling global internet access independent of cell towers.
- Multiple reliable leaks and sources, including The Information and Bloomberg, confirm Apple’s plans for more satellite connectivity options.
The iPhone was one of the first phones to get satellite connectivity back with the launch of the iPhone 14 in 2022, but the feature was mainly intended as an emergency measure. You break your leg or run out of water while hiking in the wilderness, and an emergency SOS might save your life, but it didn’t do much for social media browsing. However, a more affordable universal satellite function could come to the iPhone as early as this year.
In a Weibo post this week (via AppleInsider ), leaker Fixed Focus Digital predicts that Apple’s C2 modem (expected to debut alongside the A20 processor in the iPhone 18 Pro this fall) “will support NR-NTN this year.” This stands for New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks and refers to technology that can connect smartphones to the Internet via low-orbit satellites. This would mean that you could connect to a 5G internet connection almost anywhere in the world, regardless of your distance from a mobile station.
“Huawei said it did public testing at the end of last year, and progress in China is currently slower, but there will be good news this year, so keep an eye out,” adds Fixed Focus.
“From this perspective, 2026 appears to be the starting point for satellite Internet access for various cell phone manufacturers.” And that, important to us, includes Apple.
While leakers on the Weibo social network aren’t always the most reliable, Fixed Focus is one of the most reputable names. Back in August they correctly predicted that the iPhone Air would come with an A19 Pro processor rather than the A19, and back in April 2025 they predicted an early 2026 iPhone 17e launch, which now looks extremely likely.
What’s more, this is not a new rumor. Last October, The Information reported that Apple plans to support “5G networks that are not tethered to the Earth’s surface” to “give the iPhone full Internet access via satellite.” And in November, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman confirmed The Information’s theory, agreeing that the next-generation iPhone will include wider 5G NTN support.
At the time, there was some doubt about the available infrastructure, as 5G coverage lagged behind the availability of 5G phones in 2020. It was unclear who would provide the satellite service, although the latest iPhones had the hardware to support it. But based on Fixed Focus’ optimism, it sounds like progress is being made in this area.
For all the latest news and rumors, bookmark our regularly updated iPhone 18 megaguide. And if you can’t wait until fall, make sure you get the best price on current models with our roundup of the best iPhone deals.