SpaceX could launch a Starlink satellite phone: Report [Updated]

SpaceX is planning to launch a dedicated Starlink satellite phone, which will use direct-to-cell satellite connectivity to run the device and offer “space-tracking service, claims a new report.

Update: SpaceX Founder and CEO, Elon Musk, has reacted to this report and announced that his company is not developing a phone.

Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet network, has become the key driver of the company’s growth. It now makes up 50% to 80% of SpaceX’s total revenue. Last year, SpaceX reported around $8 billion in profit from $15 billion to $16 billion in sales, thanks largely to Starlink. The service has more than 9 million users worldwide and operates 9,500 satellites, making it the world’s largest satellite fleet.

The rocket maker is preparing for a public stock offering this year. To build value, the company is expanding Starlink beyond basic internet. One major step is direct-to-cell service, which connects standard mobile phones to satellites without special equipment.

SpaceX has built about 650 satellites for this and spent $19.6 billion on spectrum from EchoStar. Partnerships, such as with T-Mobile, are testing texting, calls, and data in hard-to-reach areas. In a recent blog post, Elon Musk stated the aim is to “deliver full cellular coverage everywhere on Earth.” Future launches using the Starship rocket could increase capacity by more than 20 times per mission.

Another new offering is Stargaze. It uses small cameras on Starlink satellites to track objects in orbit. This helps avoid collisions in crowded spaces. Some data will be shared for free, which could appeal to governments like the U.S. Pentagon.

The idea of a Starlink phone has drawn attention. SpaceX has planned a mobile device linked to its satellites for years, potentially challenging traditional smartphones. The company filed for the “Starlink Mobile” trademark in October and new patents this year to better connect with small, moving devices. Details on design or launch date remain unclear.

Experts see challenges. One analyst noted it may be tough for Starlink to sell its own phone, as rival carriers might not support a competitor’s device. Despite this, Starlink’s moves into cellular and new tools highlight its shift toward wider services, supporting SpaceX’s strong position in the market.

For now, SpaceX hasn’t announced any plans for launching a dedicated Starlink phone. However, Musk has commented on phone ideas before.

Most recently, in late January 2026 on X, he replied to questions about a Starlink phone. He said, “Not out of the question at some point.” Musk added that it would be “a very different device than current phones,” focused on running high-performance neural networks for AI with maximum efficiency per watt.

(source)