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iPhone13 actually supports satellite communication capabilities

by Poster May 7, 2025 12
The latest iOS18.5 RC push gives the entire iPhone13 series the ability to connect to operators' satellite communications. The four-year-old model is really amazed at how deeply Apple hides it. It is possible that many other devices also have many functions that have not been developed. However, it is estimated that, like iPhone 14 and above models, the 13 series models from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Central Asia are not supported.

Replies

  • Anonymous448 May 7, 2025
    This should be Starlink's direct connection function
  • Anonymous2552 May 7, 2025
    At that time, when the iPhone 13 was launched, Apple's advertising video already had satellite communication, and the policy issue was castrated in China. Only then can Huawei's mobile phones promote that they have satellite communications
  • Anonymous1805 May 7, 2025
    Apple official website: https://support.apple.com/zh-cn/101573 Apple Satellite Communications: The SOS Emergency Contact via Satellite feature is available in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States. Domestic manufacturers: Already support Beidou two-way satellite SMS, Tiantong satellite two-way SMS and voice calls. Wonder when Apple's satellite voice calls will arrive?
  • Anonymous3767 May 7, 2025
    @ Anonymous2552 Did you eat mushrooms? Globalstar's satellite text messages will not be supported until after iPhone 14 (November 2022), first in the United States, Canada, and then in four Western European countries. I only supported Japan in July last year, but South Korea still doesn't support it. The reason for the slow promotion is the construction of ground stations and local approvals. Moreover, the content of satellite text messages in the first two years was fixed and could only be used for rescue. Last year's iOS 18 only started supporting custom satellite texting. There are probably two reasons why China can't support it. First, the American company Globalstar cannot provide services in China through the export control of the U.S. government, and second, Globalstar cannot obtain a license to build ground stations in China. The national policy of the United States is to do its best to suppress the development of China's space industry. 1. China is an embargo country for U.S. satellite and aerospace technology services. 2. It is impossible for China to build satellite ground stations in North America. Even in South American countries 108,000 miles away from the United States, it builds some ground stations with scientific research attributes. It has been pressured by the United States to force the host country to break the contract and engage in pornography several times. If it is equivalent, it is unlikely that American companies will build ground stations in China.
  • Anonymous769 May 7, 2025
    This is the Starlink direct connection function provided by the operator, which uses the cellular network antenna Not the same thing as iPhone * globalstart satellite communication
  • Anonymous8716 May 7, 2025
    @ Anonymous4470 According to you, APPLE's so-called satellite communication is actually still a site connected to the ground? It can't be worldwide available. Does Huawei's also need to be connected to the ground? Or direct satellite connection? I remember seeing that to try Huawei, you need to "search for stars".
  • Anonymous2508 May 7, 2025
    @ Anonymous8716 Emergency calls are one-way, mobile-> satellite-> ground station-> internet-> apple-> rescue center
  • Anonymous107 May 7, 2025
    @ Anonymous8716 In this case, can't it be used where there is no operator signal? What's the point of this thing?
  • Poster May 7, 2025
    @ Anonymous107 starlink direct connection service simulates ground base stations through low-orbit satellites and uses standard cellular protocols to communicate with ordinary mobile phones. In essence, it is also directly connected to satellites, and the satellite side has been improved.
  • Anonymous2664 May 7, 2025
    carrier supported is basically promoted by operators in the United States, New Zealand, and Japan. It has little requirements for mobile phones, and many android devices have long supported it.
  • Anonymous8717 May 8, 2025
    Everyone is complaining that apple's communication is not good, the L-band is not ready yet, and satellite communication is still available
  • Anonymous2130 May 8, 2025
    This is not the function of direct satellite connection, but the satellite service provided by the operator. The satellite service of the operator is equal to a mobile base station deployed on the satellite, and the mobile phone is not required to support satellite communication