Apple Inc.’s iPhone 14 models contain a chip from San Diego-based Qualcomm Inc. that can communicate with satellites, according to an analysis of the phone by iFixit and a statement from Apple.
They also have additional custom-designed Apple components used in the phone’s biggest new feature, according to the scan.
Apple released the new iPhone 14 lineup on Friday. One of the major new features is the ability to connect to satellites to send emergency messages when there’s no Wi-Fi or power. cellular data.
Apple said earlier this month that the iPhone 14 models contain new hardware for Emergency Messaging Service, which the company plans to enable with an upcoming software update in November.
iFixit, a San Luis Obispo-based company that disassembles iPhones and other consumer electronics to gauge how easily they can be repaired, disassembled a model iPhone 14 Pro Max on Friday, revealing the Qualcomm X65 modem chip.
The Qualcomm chip provides 5G connectivity for cellular networks, but is also capable of using what’s known as the n53 band, the frequency band used by Globalstar’s satellites. Qualcomm’s headquarters are in the Sorrento Valley.
Globalstar announced an agreement earlier this month in which Apple will take up to 85% of Globalstar’s satellite network capacity to enable Apple’s new emergency messaging feature.
In a statement to Reuters on Saturday, Apple said there is additional proprietary hardware and software in the iPhone 14 for the new messaging feature.
“iPhone 14 includes custom radio frequency components and new software built entirely by Apple, which together enable emergency SOS via satellite on new iPhone 14 models,” Apple said in a statement.
Apple didn’t give specific hardware details for the satellite. Qualcomm did not respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Luis Obispo; editing by Leslie Adler)
– Reuters