# Apple iPhone 13 to offer direct satellite link to users - a first for an iPhone? But Elon Musk type problem looms | Mobile News (HT Tech) > Apple iPhone 13 could come with a feature not found on any of Apple’s previous smartphones. It could get rid of slow internet issues and provide freedom from your uncaring telecom company too. From price, launch date, slow internet to Elon Musk problem, know it all here. # Apple iPhone 13 to offer direct satellite link to users - a first for an iPhone? But Elon Musk type problem looms ## Apple iPhone 13 could come with a feature not found on any of Apple’s previous smartphones. It could get rid of slow internet issues and provide freedom from your uncaring telecom company too. From price, launch date, slow internet to Elon Musk problem, know it all here. Aug 21 2022, 20:03 IST ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook.png) ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook-hover.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Share.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Shareclicked.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp-hover.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter-hover.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook-hover.png) ![Bookmark](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmark.png) ![Bookmarked](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmarked.png) ![Apple iPhone 13 set to go where no iPhone has gone before - offer support for calling and texting using satellites, according to an analyst. However, it may be hit by problem Elon Musk led Starlink internet suffered. Apple iPhone 13 launch date is likely in 2 weeks' time.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2021/08/30/1600x900/125f8a8c-2f24-11eb-a8f0-5f006243e72b_1607949302653_1607949423219_1630301141487.jpg) Apple iPhone 13 set to go where no iPhone has gone before - offer support for calling and texting using satellites, according to an analyst. However, it may be hit by problem Elon Musk led Starlink internet suffered. Apple iPhone 13 launch date is likely in 2 weeks' time. (MINT_PRINT) ![Author Photo](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HTTech-new-circle-logo.png) ### By HT TECH The Apple iPhone 13 series is arriving later this year, launch date is likely in just 2 weeks, and previous leaks have suggested that it could bring improvements to the screen, better device and network performance, a smaller notch, and improved cameras. And, importantly, Apple iPhone 13 price will likely remain same as the current iPhone 12. While these specs and features are all marginal improvements over previous devices, an analyst suggests that Apple could also be adding an iPhone 13 feature not found on any of Apple’s older smartphones. However, there may be a problem and that is what hit Elon Musk-led Starlink. 1. Freedom from slow internet for iPhone 13 users? Having reliable 4G and 5G connectivity is challenging when you are outdoors, in many parts of the world. When you’re in remote areas, cellular networks can be unreliable and connectivity can be patchy even in top cities. In fact, slow Internet speeds are what most smartphone owners suffer from on daily basis and this new iPhone 13 feature has the potential to provide users freedom from these unresponsive companies. According to a report by MacRumors, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed that the iPhone 13 could feature Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity. Also read: Looking for a smartphone? Check Mobile Finder here. Also read click here. 2. What will make satellite link possible for iPhone 13 users? Connecting to satellites could be possible on the iPhone 13, thanks to a customised Qualcomm X60 baseband chip that is capable of connecting to LEO satellites, according to the report, which adds that the chipmaker has been working with satellite connectivity provider Globalstar, with support for the n53 band (which is a 5G band) on its X65 baseband chip. This means that we could see support for satellite communications on smartphones as early as 2022. According to the report, Kuo likens the impact of LEO technology to that of mmWave 5G connectivity on the industry. 3. Who will get Apple iPhone 13 satellite connectivity first? However, this technology is likely to be available exclusively in the US at the beginning, if Apple does decide to launch it for users. 4. What will this satellite linking on iPhone 13 cost? It is unclear whether users will have to pay for an additional subscription to access special satellite connectivity, or whether network providers will adapt their plans to include this feature. 5. Who will users get satellite connectivity from on iPhone 13? The report states that the most simple scenario would involve operators in partnership with services like Globalstar that might include support for LEO connectivity as part of their regular plan. 6. Will iPhone 13 face the Elon Musk Starlink internet problem? However, as The Verge points out, there might be more pressing concerns surrounding the use of satellite connectivity on smartphones. Elon Musk’s Starlink internet was found to be affected by trees, buildings and poles. This could cause issues for many users and is likely something Apple would need to work on if the reports of satellite connectivity being included as a feature on the iPhone 13 are true. Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel. 30 Aug, 10:58 IST apple ![HT Tech Awards](https://tech.hindustantimes.com/ht-tech-power-list-awards-2026/httech-awards-banner-new.webp) ### Related Stories 07 Oct 2026 06 Oct 2026 05 Oct 2026 71,630,301,022,567 NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS ![View all](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/view-all-icon.png) ## Tips & Tricks ![Ghibli-style art](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2025/03/28/414x233/ChatGPT_Ghibli_style_images_1743161814450_1743161814596.jpg) ### How to turn your photos into Ghibli-style art with ChatGPT for free: Step-by-step guide ![How to create an invitation using iPhone’s new Apple Invites app- Step-by-step guide](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2025/02/14/414x233/invites_1738728829564_1739543695649.png) ### How to create an invitation using iPhone’s new Apple Invites app- Step-by-step guide ![Apple TV app arrives on Android phones and tablets: What you get and how to install it](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2025/02/13/414x233/unnamed_1739426557335_1739426567634.jpg) ### Apple TV app arrives on Android phones and tablets: What you get and how to install it ![Vodafone Idea OTT plans](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Vodafone Idea users can now stream 17 OTT apps with one subscription: Here's how ![Android data transfer methods](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### How to transfer data from one Android to another using Google backup, USB-C cable, and more ## Editor’s Pick ![iPhone 16e launched with A18 chip, Apple AI—bringing flagship power on a budget: Check specs, price](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iPhone 16e launched in India: All details about the new budget mobile from Apple ![DeepSeek was founded in China with only a fraction of the budget of the top AI companies in the US.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### DeepSeek AI: How it works, who’s behind it, how it’s different from ChatGPT, and its big US market impact explained ![iPhone 17 Air likely to get this feature that iPhone 17 Pro models may miss out on](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iPhone 17 Air likely to get this feature that iPhone 17 Pro models may miss out on ![Google Whisk AI explained: How remixing works, availability, and how it differs from Gemini](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Google Whisk AI explained: How remixing works, availability, and how it differs from Gemini ![iOS 18.4 beta arriving soon: Know why it is the biggest iPhone update](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iOS 18.4 beta arriving soon: Know why it is the biggest iPhone update ## Trending Stories ![Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order ![Infinix Note 50s 5G+](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Infinix Note 50s 5G+ set to launch in India with 64MP camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC ![Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more ![Apple Intelligence AI training](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Apple plans to train AI using your on-device data without accessing personal content or emails: Report ![CMF Buds 2](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### CMF Buds 2 key features and price revealed ahead of April 28 launch: Details inside keep up with tech ![Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-facebook.png) ![Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-twitter.png) ![WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-whatsApp.png) ![Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-facebook.png) ## Gaming ![Check out these five gaming monitors under ₹20,000,](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Top 5 gaming monitors under ₹20000 you should consider ![gaming consoles](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Grab gaming consoles at discounted rates during Amazon Great Indian Festival: Up to 72% off ![Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025 to bring Grimmsnarl family, Shiny Hatenna, and global challenges ![Shade Silver](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Shade Silver free on Steam for a limited time: Here’s how to get it ![Call of duty](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 skips Switch 2 at launch, release date and price leak ![View all](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/view-all-icon.png) ## Trending News ### Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order ![Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Infinix Note 50s 5G+ set to launch in India with 64MP camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC ![Infinix Note 50s 5G+](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more ![Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Apple plans to train AI using your on-device data without accessing personal content or emails: Report ![Apple Intelligence AI training](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### CMF Buds 2 key features and price revealed ahead of April 28 launch: Details inside ![CMF Buds 2](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ## Trending Gadgets Mobiles Laptops Tablets ![HT Tech](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HT_tech-new.gif) - https://tech.hindustantimes.com/mobile/news/apple-iphone-13-to-offer-direct-satellite-link-to-users-a-first-for-an-iphone-but-elon-musk-type-problem-looms-71630301022567.html