Apple's next iPhone to feature ISRO navigation technology

Delhi : NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), India's indigenous GPS option, will be supported by Apple's recently released iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, the company has said. For the first time, Apple has added NavIC compatibility to a model of its iPhone.

However, according to the official tech specifications, the basic iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models do not support NavIC. Tech Crunch said that Apple has not explicitly stated which functionalities will be incorporated into this collaboration. 

NavIC: What is it?

NavIC, which was created by ISRO, started operating in India in 2018. It offers precise position and time data over India and the neighboring areas as a stand-alone navigation satellite system. A constellation of 7 satellites and a ground station network make up the NavIC system. According to ISRO, its uses include transmission of safety-of-life alerts, location-based services, personal mobility, resource monitoring, surveying and geodesy, scientific research, and terrestrial, aerial, and maritime transportation.

India started pressuring tech titans last year to make smartphones compatible with its in-house navigation system within months. Companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple were concerned since the move would require hardware upgrades and may result in increased costs and interruptions. The eagerly anticipated iPhone 15 series was officially presented by Apple on Tuesday at its "Wonderlust" launch event. The technology behemoth has unveiled the iPhone 15 in four variations: the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Pre-orders for the phones will start on Friday, September 15, according to a statement from Apple. The tech juggernaut said that the release date for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus is September 22.