iFixit Finds Qualcomm X65 Modem Chip In iPhone 14 That Can Make It Connect To Satellites

The iPhone 14 product uses a special modem chip that allows it to be connected to a satellite. (photo: twitter @apple)

JAKARTA - Apple released its iPhone 14 lineup on Friday, September 9. One of the new features in this version is the ability to connect to satellites to send emergency messages when there is no WiFi or cellular data connection.

Apple said earlier this month that iPhone 14 models contain new hardware enabling emergency messaging services, which Apple plans to enable with a software update coming in November. Apple did not provide details about the satellite-specific hardware.

A company based in San Luis Obispo, California, iFixit, is known to specialize in disassembling iPhones and other electronic devices to assess how easily they can be repaired. They also dismantled the iPhone 14 Pro Max model on Friday, September 17, and found that the Qualcomm X65 modem chip was in the phone.

According to the analysis of the phone by iFixit and Apple's statement, Apple Inc's iPhone 14 model does contain a Qualcomm Inc chip that can connect with satellites, but has additional specially designed Apple components used in the phone's new features,

The Qualcomm chip provides 5G connectivity for mobile networks but is also capable of using the so-called n53 band, the frequency band used by satellites from Globalstar.

Globalstar also earlier this month announced a deal under which Apple will take up to 85% of Globalstar's satellite network capacity to activate Apple's new emergency messaging feature.

In a statement to Reuters on Saturday, September 17, Apple said there was indeed additional new hardware and software in the iPhone 14 for the new messaging features.

"iPhone 14 includes a dedicated radio frequency component, and new software designed entirely by Apple, which together activate Emergency SOS via satellite on new iPhone 14 models," Apple said in a statement.

Qualcomm did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on the matter. Although this model can be imitated by other smartphone manufacturers, the main key is cooperation with satellite company Globalstar. Without a connection and special permission from the satellite manager, it is impossible for a cellphone to be connected even though it has the chip.