SpaceX is reportedly developing a smartphone that connects directly to the Starlink satellite network, a move that could enable global mobile connectivity without relying on traditional cellular roaming agreements.
Satellite-based connectivity bypasses national carrier infrastructure, opening the door to global mobile access without traditional roaming fees.
SpaceX has already tested direct-to-device satellite communication in the United States, where iPhones on the T-Mobile network successfully sent and received text messages through Starlink satellites without cellular towers.
Those trials demonstrated that low-earth orbit satellites can support basic mobile communication, signalling a shift toward consumer satellite connectivity rather than emergency-only or niche messaging services.
Reuters reports that SpaceX is now exploring a purpose-built smartphone instead of extending satellite access solely through carrier partnerships, pointing toward tighter integration between hardware and Starlink’s network.
That approach reflects SpaceX’s broader strategy of vertically integrating services, placing a Starlink phone as a direct entry point into its satellite subscription ecosystem.
How a Starlink phone could change mobile connectivity
A Starlink-enabled smartphone could offer a single global data plan that works across borders, reducing the need for local SIM cards or region-specific eSIM profiles used by frequent travellers.
This model would place SpaceX in competition with mobile carriers and eSIM providers, which have lowered roaming costs but still depend on terrestrial cellular infrastructure.
Technical hurdles remain significant, as satellite connectivity must balance power efficiency, latency, and bandwidth while supporting mobile use across dense population areas.
SpaceX already delivers broadband through Starlink terminals, but handheld smartphones introduce stricter antenna, battery, and signal stability constraints.
SpaceX has not confirmed launch timing, specifications, or pricing, leaving uncertainty around when a Starlink phone could reach consumers or how broadly it would launch.
For now, reports point to an effort to merge satellite internet and smartphones into a single product, with the potential to reshape global mobile connectivity if execution aligns with cost and reliability expectations.
