A claim circulating widely on social media and repeated in tech and business news discussions states that, ahead of a possible IPO, SpaceX plans new Starlink products, including a mobile device connected to Starlink that could rival smartphones. The claim is largely traced to reporting by Reuters, which cited unnamed sources describing internal discussions and potential product exploration. However, available evidence shows that this interpretation overstates what has been confirmed publicly.
Social Media Posts
Multiple posts suggest that SpaceX is planning a “Starlink phone” that could compete directly with smartphone devices.
The claim went viral on the X platform as well.
Fact Check
What Reuters Actually Reported
The Reuters report stated that SpaceX has internal plans that include exploring a mobile device connected to its Starlink satellite internet constellation. The report suggested this device could potentially compete with existing smartphones, though it did not cite any official product announcement, development roadmap, or technical specifications.
The article noted that details about the device’s design and development timeline remain unclear. It clarified that this concept is separate from Starlink’s existing direct-to-device partnerships with mobile carriers such as T-Mobile. The report also indicated that such mobile device ideas have been discussed internally for years, suggesting long-term strategic exploration.
Reuters reported internal planning and conceptual discussions about a Starlink-connected device. However, it did not confirm that SpaceX is currently developing, manufacturing, or preparing to launch such a product. The report made no mention of the device being approved, funded, or scheduled for production.
Elon Musk’s Public Denial
Elon Musk has publicly addressed the reports. In response to speculation about a Starlink-branded phone, Musk stated that SpaceX is “not developing a phone.”
However, Musk has added nuance by saying that some form of Starlink-connected device is “not out of the question at some point,” but this phrasing clearly refers to a hypothetical long-term possibility, not an ongoing development program.
What Is Actually Happening: Direct-to-Device Connectivity
While SpaceX is not building a smartphone, it is actively expanding direct-to-device (Direct to Cell) satellite connectivity. This initiative allows unmodified LTE smartphones to connect directly to Starlink satellites for basic services, without a dedicated satellite phone or external terminal.
One prominent example is the partnership between Starlink and T-Mobile in the United States. Under this arrangement, existing smartphones can send text messages and, in later phases, access limited data services via satellite in areas without cellular coverage. According to statements from both T-Mobile and SpaceX, this service does not involve building a new phone, but rather uses existing devices and integrates with carrier networks
Direct-to-device connectivity and a “Starlink phone” are two different concepts. Direct-to-device service enhances network coverage for existing smartphones, particularly for emergency messaging and basic connectivity in remote areas. It does not involve creating a new hardware platform, operating system, or app ecosystem that would compete with Apple or Android devices.
Moreover, as of early February 2026, no publicly available evidence has confirmed the existence of a Starlink smartphone project. No FCC filings for a new handset, supplier disclosures, leaked specifications, or marketing materials have been documented.
SpaceX IPO Timeline and Context
SpaceX is preparing for an IPO aimed at mid-to-late 2026, though the timeline could shift to 2027 based on market conditions and internal decisions. Financial reports indicate that SpaceX has started formal discussions with banks and advisers for a 2026 listing, potentially raising $25-50 billion at a valuation of $1-1.5 trillion. The company is targeting a launch around mid-2026 (possibly June) or later in the year, but these same reports acknowledge that unfavorable conditions could push the IPO into 2027. Elon Musk has confirmed that media reports about a 2026 SpaceX IPO are “accurate,” though no formal date has been filed with the SEC.
Earlier, Musk talked about spinning off Starlink when its cash flow was “smooth and predictable,” with Starlink having no fixed IPO date as of early 2026. However, newer coverage says the priority is taking the whole SpaceX public in 2026, with Starlink remaining a major growth engine inside that IPO rather than listing separately first.
(Source: Reuters, Forbes, Capital, Yahoo Finance)
Conclusion
The claim that SpaceX is developing a “Starlink phone” or mobile device that could rival smartphones is misleading and lacks substantiation. While Reuters reported on internal discussions about a potential Starlink-connected device, CEO Elon Musk has explicitly denied that SpaceX is currently developing a phone.
What SpaceX is actually pursuing is direct-to-device satellite connectivity through partnerships with existing carriers like T-Mobile, which enables unmodified smartphones to access basic satellite services, a fundamentally different concept from creating a new smartphone platform to compete with Apple or Android devices.
Title:No, SpaceX Is Not Developing a “Starlink Phone” to Rival Smartphones
Fact Check By: Pranpreeya PResult: Misleading
