There are only some days left till September, which is when Apple is predicted to disclose its new iPhone 13 lineup. However, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has given us a sneak peek at what we will anticipate: texting and calling even once you don’t have 4G and 5G protection.

Kuo, a longtime and dependable supply for Apple options, mentioned in an investor observe seen by MacRumors that the iPhone 13 reportedly will likely be geared up with {hardware} that may join low Earth orbit satellites. The {hardware} in query is claimed to be a customized Qualcomm X60 baseband chip that helps satellite tv for pc communications, the outlet acknowledged. It would have to be enabled with particular software program options.

If you recall, LEO satellites are the identical varieties of satellites SpaceX is utilizing for its Starlink web service. Despite this reality, it doesn’t seem like Apple will likely be partnering with SpaceX for its satellite tv for pc communication connectivity.

According to Kuo’s investor observe, the corporate’s associate will in all probability be satellite tv for pc communication service supplier Globalstar, which is the “most likely to cooperate with Apple in terms of technology and service coverage.” The partnership would make sense contemplating that each corporations work with Qualcomm. This previous February, Qualcomm built-in Globalstar’s Band n53 technology into its new 5G X65 modem.

In order for iPhone 13 customers to benefit from the cellphone’s satellite tv for pc communications connectivity, Kuo mentioned that the “simplest scenario” was getting community operators to work with Globalstar immediately. This would in concept save clients from having to pay additional or contract the Globalstar service elsewhere.

Although Kuo mentioned working with community operators was the best situation, it’s unclear if this plan will truly pan out or if satellite tv for pc communications connectivity will likely be a free function. Additionally, it’s additionally unknown whether or not this is able to imply iPhone customers would solely have the ability to use Apple services, corresponding to iMessage and FaceTime, after they’re out of 4G and 5G vary.

Kuo factors out that this won’t be the final time we see satellite tv for pc communications connectivity in Apple’s merchandise. Apple is purportedly planning to incorporate this function in quite a lot of units, which could embody its combined actuality headset, electrical automobile, and different Internet of Things equipment.