en.Wedoany.com Reported - Apple is expected to release its next-generation iPhone in September this year. The three new models—iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable phone (possibly named iPhone Ultra)—are reportedly equipped with Apple's self-developed C2 modem. This chip will replace Qualcomm's 5G cellular connectivity solution and integrate satellite communication support for the first time.
The C2 supports 5G NR-NTN (New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network) technology, integrating satellite connectivity directly into the 5G cellular network. Users do not need to point their phones at the sky; the device can automatically switch to satellite mode when in a pocket, car, or even indoors. Unlike current emergency satellite services that rely on the Globalstar network, the C2 also leverages the Globalstar network, not Starlink.
Current iPhone satellite connectivity is primarily for emergency scenarios, requiring users to manually align with satellites. The new modem aims to transform this into a daily convenience: seamlessly and automatically switching to satellite connections when cellular signals are weak. Regarding costs, Apple has not promised that satellite access will be permanently free. Currently, it offers two years of free service after purchase and has repeatedly extended the free period for the first iPhones supporting satellite features (such as the iPhone 14 series).
Apple aims to create a "natural use" satellite feature experience—users do not need to point the device at the sky. Satellite-driven map applications and developer satellite frameworks ensure that iPhones can still use apps like Apple Maps in areas without Wi-Fi or cellular coverage. This design approach is expected to bypass carrier barriers, benefiting all users with C2 hardware, in stark contrast to plans requiring specific carrier packages or separate paid subscriptions.
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