The iPhone 13 would support Leo communication, but what is it?

Apple would secretly work on the integration of a new technology: satellite telecommunications.Instead of using terrestrial relay antennas, the new iPhone could communicate directly with the sky via a constellation of satellites in low-land orbit.

Source: Fahrad Norouzi / Unsplash

The iPhone 13 should be announced in September and marketed in stride, information and indiscretions about it does not stop swapping for a few weeks.Difficult to see more clearly, nevertheless we should be fixed quickly enough.In the meantime, new information has just reached us.According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst specializing in questions around Apple, the iPhone 13 would offer a leo satellite connection.

What is a LEO connection?

Leo means Low Earth Orbit, which translates into French by low or OTB terrestrial orbit.It is an area of the terrestrial orbit which goes up to 2,000 kilometers above sea level, just above the atmosphere.

It is in this area that is a large majority of artificial satellites, for telecommunications and imagery (weather, surveillance, information, etc..)))).We can theoretically connect to a satellite everywhere on the surface of the earth, this is what Elon Musk is putting in place with Starlink.

The advantage of this low orbit is that it does not require the power that is used by geostationary satellite systems (35,000 kilometers above the Earth surface)))).There are therefore light communication systems since the end of the 80s, but this requires suitable and compatible material.According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 13 would be compatible with these systems.The edges offered are low, equivalent to 3G, they essentially make it possible to make calls and send messages, but also to navigate the web.

More concretely, the iPhone could therefore bear the frequency bands issued by these satellites to exchange data.The new iPhone range would have a personalized Qualcomm X60 chip to support communication via leo satellites.

Today, speculation around new means of communication on the iPhone are not clear.Apple could offer this service for free, but limit it to its services (Facetime and Imessage)))).We also do not know if this service will be available in all countries, the territory must be covered and it depends on the operators (Iridium, Inmarsat, etc..)))).

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