iFixit is busy tearing apart the new iPhone 14 models and has discovered a Qualcomm X65 modem inside. However, this is not enough to enable the new satellite emergency SOS service introduced with the new models.
“iPhone 14 includes custom radio frequency components and new software designed entirely by Apple, which together enable satellite emergency SOS on new iPhone 14 models,” Apple told Reuters.
The iFixit teardown is still in progress, so we’ll have to wait before we can take a closer look at this custom hardware. We’ve already caught a glimpse of it in this iPhone 14 Pro Max teardown video.
Disassembly of Apple iPhone 14 by iFixit
The X65 modem is definitely part of the equation. Last year Globalstar announced that the X65 supports the n53 band – this band was approved by 3GPP in 2020 for use in the satellite-based IoT service. In case you don’t know, Apple has reserved up to 85% of the available bandwidth on Globalstar’s satellite network to support the new feature.
The emergency function will be enabled via a software update in November this year. This will be a beta test only available in the US and Canada, although not exclusive to North American owners (however, iPhones purchased in China, Hong Kong, and Macau will not work). Coverage can be mottled above 62 degrees latitude, such as the northern parts of Canada and Alaska. More details on Emergency SOS here.
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