IPhone 13 will be able to make calls without a cellular connection

According to a new report from Min-Chi Kuo, Apple is going to further improve the communication modules in its smartphones. While the long-awaited 5G support appeared last year, the new iPhone 13 can use LEO satellites for communication. This will allow users to stay connected even in areas with no coverage. 5G and LTE.

Apple's interest in this technology Bloomberg wrote back in 2017, but this is the first time we've heard of it being used in the iPhone 13. According to the analyst, smartphones will use a customized version of the Qualcomm X60 modem for this.

It is not yet clear whether satellite communications will work only with standard applications like FaceTime and iMessage, or whether it will be possible to make regular calls with it.

The analyst says that the simplest scenario for applying this technology is the direct cooperation of cellular operators with the Globalstar LEO satellite system. Thanks to this, owners of the iPhone 13 will be able to use satellite communications at no additional cost.

Kuo also notes that in the future, LEO-satellite communications will be used in Apple augmented reality glasses, smart home accessories and even Apple Car.