Apple Inc (NASDAQ:) iPhone 14 models contain a chip from Qualcomm (NASDAQ:) Inc that can communicate with satellites but has additional custom Apple components included in the largest The phone’s new feature is based on an analysis of the phone by iFixit and a statement from Apple.
Apple released its iPhone 14 lineup on Friday. One of the key new features is the ability to connect to satellites to send emergency alerts when there is no Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.
Apple said earlier this month that the iPhone 14 models will include new hardware that will enable the emergency messaging service, which Apple plans to turn on with a software update in November. Apple did not give details of the satellite-specific hardware.
iFixit, a San Luis Obispo, Calif.-based company that disassembles iPhones and other consumer electronics to assess how easily they can be repaired, on Friday took apart an iPhone 14 Pro Max model and revealed a Qualcomm X65 modem chip.
The Qualcomm chip offers 5G connectivity for mobile networks, but can also use the so-called n53 band, the frequency band used by Globalstar (NYSE:) satellites.
Globalstar earlier this month announced an agreement in which Apple will acquire up to 85% of Globalstar’s satellite network capacity to enable Apple’s new emergency calling feature.
In a statement to Reuters on Saturday, Apple said the iPhone 14 includes additional proprietary hardware and software for the new messaging feature.
“iPhone 14 includes custom radio frequency components and new software developed entirely by Apple that together enable emergency satellite SOS on new iPhone 14 models,” Apple said in a statement.
Qualcomm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
