It seems like Apple is working on big upgrades for its iPhone 18 Pro devices. There is a new leak in the market that indicates that the next-gen Pros will pack the company’s next-generation C2 modem, which is said to bring 5G satellite internet. This means future iPhones could connect to low-Earth orbit satellites, allowing users to access the web even when they are miles away from a traditional cell tower.
The details come from a Weibo post by tipster Fixed Focus Digital, who claims the new C2 baseband chip will include support for NR-NTN, which stands for New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks. This standard is the key to making satellite internet work on a smartphone. It allows the device to establish a direct phone-to-satellite connection or use satellites as a backhaul to expand standard carrier coverage into remote dead zones.
Right now, satellite features on the iPhone 14 and newer models are strictly for emergencies. You can send an SOS, use Find My, or text for roadside assistance, provided you have a clear view of the sky. With the C2 chip, Apple is looking to move past these limited functions and offer everyday internet access from anywhere.
Previous reports from sources like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have also noted that Apple is developing satellite-based 5G coverage. While his reports focused heavily on carrier backhaul use cases, the rumored inclusion of NR-NTN support suggests a direct satellite connection is a real possibility for everyday users.
Beyond satellite features, the C2 modem is expected to be a big step up from Apple’s first-generation C1 and C1X chips. It should offer better battery efficiency and maintain a stronger signal in weak or congested networks. Rumors also point to tighter iOS integration, including a new “Limit Precise Location” feature that restricts how accurately mobile carriers can track your physical location.
While satellite internet is a great hardware addition, I think the upcoming iPhones will also start having more on-device AI features, and I believe that is exactly where the industry is heading right now. Recently, news came out that the next-generation flagships from Samsung are going to be packed with AI features, so much so that the company is marketing them heavily as “AI phones.”
