Apple upgrading iPhone's satellite connectivity with an in-house C2 modem

Apple could be preparing one of the biggest upgrades to satellite connectivity on the iPhone. As per earlier reports, Apple could ditch the Qualcomm modem in favour of the company's in-house C2 modem for connectivity. The new C2 modem could reportedly support 5G NR-NTN or “New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks,” a technology that integrates satellite communication directly with 5G networks.

The addition of the C2 modem could allow the iPhone 18 Pro lineup to automatically switch to satellite connectivity whenever regular cellular coverage becomes weak or unavailable.

This is unlike current satellite features that often require users to manually point their iPhone toward the sky. The new system may work more seamlessly in the background.

Since debuting satellite SOS on the iPhone 14 in 2022, users have had to manually point their iPhones toward satellites and follow on-screen guidance to maintain a connection. While Apple has since expanded satellite support beyond emergencies, the experience still remains far less seamless than traditional cellular connectivity.

The integration of 5G NR-NTN means the iPhone 18 Pro could intelligently and automatically fall back to a satellite connection without requiring users to manually align their devices.

Meanwhile, the C2 modem is also expected to bring support for mmWave 5G, which is expected to deliver faster peak download speeds and better coverage in dense urban areas, stadiums and airports.