- Elon Musk denied reports that SpaceX is building a phone
- However, Musk outlined his ideas for what a Starlink device could look like.
- He added that future phones will be AI-enabled devices first.
SpaceX, Elon Musk’s rocket company, already has a fleet of Starlink satellites in orbit that provide internet connectivity around the world. Would the next logical step be for the company to sell a satellite phone? Musk has now denied new rumors from PK Press Club sources claiming this was the case, but there are hints that SpaceX may still be considering a satellite-connected AI device.
Citing “sources familiar with the matter,” PK Press Club reports that SpaceX is considering “a Starlink phone, direct Internet connection on the device and a space tracking service.” The phone could help SpaceX “expand its reach into new markets” and be part of the company’s plans to “build data centers in orbit around Earth,” PK Press Club said.
PK Press Club pointed out that Starlink is working with T-Mobile to provide a mobile signal between satellites and users’ devices. The outlet also noted that SpaceX had filed for a trademark under the name “Starlink Mobile” and that Musk himself had stated that one of the goals of SpaceX’s satellite-to-mobile service was to “provide comprehensive cellular coverage everywhere on Earth.” These factors all seem to indicate SpaceX’s interest in mobile technology.
However, after the PK Press Club report was shared with him on X, Musk retorted that “we’re not developing a phone.” Reading between the lines, Musk’s initial message could simply be describing the type of device he would like to develop in the future, with his second message clarifying that his companies are not actively developing such a product at this time.
The phone of the future
Musk has already been a little more nuanced in his denials regarding a Starlink phone. On X on January 30, Musk said a Starlink phone was “not out of the question at some point,” adding that “it would be a very different device than current phones.” The SpaceX chief said it would be “optimized only to run neural networks at peak performance/watt,” referring to potential artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast in October 2025, Musk also clarified his ideas on mobile technology, stating that he believes “we’re not going to have a phone in the traditional sense. What we call a phone is actually going to be an edge node for AI inference with some radios to connect.” In other words, phones won’t exist in the traditional sense — with operating systems and apps — but will essentially be vehicles for AI to create whatever you want to see or do, Musk argued.
PK Press Club says SpaceX “has had cell phone plans for years,” but what form those plans will take is still unknown. Musk is obviously interested in the idea but sees a very different path compared to the device you might have in your pocket today.
Whatever SpaceX decides, the company has an active interest in providing satellite services to mobile users. Whether this will represent the full extent of his mobile interests remains to be seen.
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