55%
Plausible
The iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via satellite turned out to be a literal lifesaver, and what’s even more impressive is that while Apple mentioned in the fine print that the feature would be free for two years, the company has yet to charge its customers a dime. In fact, according to the latest rumor, the Cupertino firm is stepping things up for when it announces the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max later this year, as these flagships are expected to be the first devices to support 5G satellite communication.
5G satellite communication on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will allow for real-time connectivity, and is expected to overcome the speed limitations of Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite
The rumor posted on yeux1122’s blog doesn’t go in-depth on what 5G satellite communication means for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but instead of Emergency SOS via satellite, the feature might be called ‘5G via satellite.’ Both are significantly different from one another, meaning that Apple will raise the bar considerably, opening up a lot of doors for people to communicate when there’s no cellular reception. For the time being, Emergency SOS via satellite is limited to just texting and requires an open sky for compatible devices to directly link up with low-orbit satellites.
For 5G via satellite, the iPhone 18 series can provide everyday connectivity that will not be limited to just text but will expand to voice and data. Additionally, the bandwidth, which was a limitation with Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite, should be overcome when the Kbps (kilobits per second) threshold is lifted and upgraded to Mbps and Gbps. Also, where Emergency SOS via satellite is only enabled when there’s no cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity, 5G via satellite should be active continuously, with devices automatically gaining reception without having to manually align themselves in the direction of a satellite.
However, unlike Emergency SOS via satellite, which requires a subscription but Apple has yet to charge its customers, 5G via satellite’s monetization will depend on carriers, suggesting that the California-based titan will need to be tied up with U.S. companies, with this feature probably limited to a single region at first. As for whether the feature will be free to use when it launches, we cannot comment on that, as it will depend on the kind of deal structure Apple has proposed with local carriers.
News Source: yeux1122’s blog
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
