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Starlink Mini 2 Leak: Built-in Battery, Lower Power
20 Jul
Summary
- Starlink Mini 2 firmware suggests a new dish with a built-in battery.
- The Mini 2 may support USB-C charging and have reduced power consumption.
- This new model appears to be configured for in-motion use with GPS.
SpaceX appears to be developing a new Starlink dish, tentatively named the "Mini 2," as suggested by recent firmware discoveries. This upcoming model is expected to feature a significant upgrade: an integrated four-cell lithium-ion battery, a component absent in the current Mini version. This built-in power source aims to enhance portability and reduce reliance on third-party accessories.
The Mini 2 also reportedly supports charging via USB-C, an improvement over the current Mini's requirement for a separate adapter. Furthermore, firmware analysis indicates a substantially reduced transmit duty cycle for uploads, shifting from 75% to 11%. While this may lead to lower uplink speeds, potentially around 10Mbps, it is still deemed sufficient for common uses like video calls and general internet access in remote locations.
In addition to its power and connectivity enhancements, the Mini 2 seems to include GPS, suggesting it will support in-motion use. This feature may position it as a successor to a previously rumored ruggedized Mini dish. The development follows Elon Musk's recent tease of new Mini dishes and SpaceX's official release of the V5 dish, which also boasts lower power consumption but lacks in-motion capability.
