Overview
- A Weibo post from leaker Fixed Focus Digital claims Apple’s in-house C2 modem, expected in iPhone 18 Pro models this year, will support the 3GPP NR-NTN standard.
- NR-NTN enables 5G links over satellites either through direct device connections or via satellite backhaul for carriers, and reports differ on which path Apple will take.
- Prior coverage by The Information and Bloomberg outlined Apple’s broader satellite roadmap, including expanded features and developer APIs, lending context but not confirmation.
- Any move beyond today’s emergency-only satellite tools would depend on upgrades to partner networks such as Globalstar and could start in limited regions like the U.S. and Canada.
- Apple has not announced the capability, and even supportive outlets note the leaker’s mixed record and the uncertainty around timing and real-world performance.