iPhone 14 Satellite Connectivity Feature May Launch Outside the US, Canada This Year: Report

iPhone 14 satellite connectivity feature is free for the first two years.

Written by Sourabh Kulesh, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 16 September 2022 11:18 IST

iPhone 14 Satellite Connectivity Feature May Launch Outside the US, Canada This Year: Report

Photo Credit: Apple

All iPhone 14 models have this feature

Highlights

SOS message feature will be free for first two years
You need clear view of sky to make it work efficiently
Apple says one can send an SOS message in 15 seconds

iPhone 14 series' satellite connectivity feature that lets you send an SOS message when you do not have cellular network may be coming to countries other than Canada and the US, as per a report. The feature is due to come to these countries in November, Apple announced at the ‘Far Out' event, which saw the debut of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The feature is free for the first two years.

As per a report by macprime, the iPhone 14 models' limited form of satellite connectivity which, when rolled out in November, will allow users to send an SOS message when they do not have cellular connectivity, may be rolled out to other countries. However, there is no information on which countries will get this feature. This is one of the five features we think is great when it comes to saving precious human lives.

iPhone 14 Satellite Connectivity

If you are a hiker lost in the woods or if you sustain an injury that renders you unable to move, you can, in theory, use your iPhone 14 to send an SOS message over a satellite and it could help in your rescue. “Satellites are moving targets with low bandwidth. It can take minutes for messages to get through. Since every second counts, iPhone front-loads a few questions to assess your situation — just tap to respond. Then it shows you where to point to connect to a satellite,” Apple explains.

In order to send an SOS message, the sender must be outdoors with a clear view of the sky. Since satellites are moving rapidly through space, iPhone 14 will assist the sender where to point to maintain your connection — and avoid obstructions such as mountains and heavy foliage. Apple says that in ideal conditions, the message can be sent in less than 15 seconds. Under light foliage, it can take more than a minute. Once connected, the iPhone 14 will automatically send your answers, location, Medical ID (if set up) as well as battery level to a dispatcher.

While researching and writing about this feature previously, we talked to Tarun Pathak from Counterpoint Research. He explained that the feature will be a good thing to have from a user's point of view “especially in India where it can bring in meaningful developments.” He rightly points that even though the feature is great, operational challenges need to be addressed. “What [happens] after SOS communication is done? Do we have a response team as fast as we have in other countries?,” Pathak told Gadgets 360, while explaining the feasibility of the feature in India.

Apple partnered with Globalstar to support this emergency feature in the new iPhone 14 series. The Cupertino company revealed that it would be allocating $450 million (roughly Rs. 4,000 crores) from its advanced manufacturing fund to support this new feature.

Apple unveiled eight new products at its September ‘Far Out' event. Which ones will float — and which will sink? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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iPhone 14

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Good overall performance
Great camera quality in daylight
iOS ecosystem and ease of use

Bad
Dated design and notch
Very similar to iPhone 13
Relatively slow charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 review

Display 6.06-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1170x2532 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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