Iridium & Apple
Apple partnered with Iridium to launch Emergency SOS via Satellite with iPhone 14 in September 2022. The feature connects users to Iridium's 66-satellite LEO network when no cellular coverage is available. Apple prepaid approximately $450M to Iridium to reserve satellite capacity through 2026, and the service was offered free for two years post-activation before transitioning to paid subscription tiers in select markets in 2024.
Why it matters: Satellite SOS differentiates iPhone as a safety device for outdoor and remote users, with documented use in life-saving emergencies. The feature cannot be easily replicated by Android manufacturers without equivalent infrastructure partnerships. It has become a meaningful component of Apple's hardware marketing, particularly for the iPhone 14 and newer lineup.