Overview
- A Feb. 11 Weibo post from leaker Fixed Focus Digital says Apple’s in‑house C2 baseband will add NR‑NTN support, with the chip expected to debut in the iPhone 18 Pro models.
- NR‑NTN could enable 5G links via satellites, though reports differ on whether Apple will pursue direct phone‑to‑satellite data or rely on satellites as carrier backhaul.
- Previous reporting by The Information and Bloomberg outlines a broader satellite roadmap, including potential developer APIs plus satellite‑assisted Maps and richer messaging features.
- Real‑world availability would hinge on major upgrades to Globalstar’s infrastructure, and early support is reportedly most likely in the U.S. and Canada.
- Current iPhone satellite features remain limited to emergency and basic messaging with a clear sky, while the C2 is also rumored to add mmWave and improved 5G performance; the leaker’s record is mixed.