September 19, 2022
According to an iFixit analysis of the phone and an Apple statement, as part of its biggest innovation, Apple’s recently released iPhone 14 includes a Qualcomm X65 modem chip that can communicate with satellites to send emergency messages when there is no Wi-Fi connection or cellular data connection.
Apple also explained that the iPhone 14 includes additional proprietary hardware and software for the new messaging feature, which includes custom radio frequency components and new software that was entirely developed by Apple and allows emergency SOS via satellite on new iPhone 14 models.
Apple said that the iPhone 14 models include new hardware that enables the emergency messaging service that Apple plans to activate with a software update in November. However, Apple did not provide details on the satellite-specific hardware.
The Qualcomm chip supports 5G cellular networks, but can also use band n53, the frequency band used by Globalstar satellites. Globalstar and Apple announced earlier this month an agreement in which Apple will take over up to 85% of Globalstar’s satellite network capacity to enable Apple’s new emergency messaging capability.
The sources for this piece include an article in Reuters
