According to an iFixit analysis of the phone and an Apple statement, Apple Inc’s iPhone 14 models contain a Qualcomm Inc chip that can communicate with satellites, but also have additional custom-designed Apple components used in the phone’s biggest new feature.
On Friday, Apple unveiled its iPhone 14 lineup. One of the most significant new features is the ability to connect to satellites to send emergency messages when no WiFi or cellular data connection is available.
Apple announced earlier this month that the iPhone 14 models include new hardware that enables the emergency message service, which Apple plans to activate with a software update in November.
Apple did not provide any information about the satellite-specific hardware.
“iPhone 14 includes custom radio frequency components, and new software designed entirely by Apple, that together enable Emergency SOS via satellite on new iPhone 14 models,” Apple said in a statement.
On Friday, iFixit, a San Luis Obispo, California-based company that disassembles iPhones and other consumer electronics to determine how easily they can be repaired, disassembled an iPhone 14 Pro Max model, revealing a Qualcomm X65 modem chip.
The Qualcomm chip provides 5G connectivity for cellular networks, but it can also use band n53, the frequency band used by Globalstar satellites.
Globalstar announced earlier this month that Apple will use up to 85% of Globalstar’s satellite network capacity to enable Apple’s new emergency messaging feature. Apple said in a statement to Reuters on Saturday that the iPhone 14 has additional proprietary hardware and software for the new messaging feature.
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