SpaceX has recently unveiled official images of the Starlink Mini dish, set to be launched in a few months, as confirmed by CEO Elon Musk.
Over the weekend, an update to the Starlink app was released, which reportedly included a dedicated page for the upcoming product. Oleg Kutkov, an engineer from Ukraine, managed to decompile the update and discovered the official images of the Starlink Mini dish.
The revealed images confirm that the Mini model will be a smaller and more portable version of the current V4 standard Starlink dish. Both devices will feature a kickstand.
According to FCC documents, the Mini dish is expected to have dimensions similar to that of an Apple MacBook. This development showcases SpaceX’s commitment to expanding the accessibility and convenience of the Starlink technology.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also commented on the images, posting in a tweet that he’s already been using the device. “I just set it up right now and am writing this post through space,” he wrote. “Took less than 5 mins. Easily carried in a backpack. This product will change the world.”
In another tweet, he also revealed that the Starlink Mini dish will cost “about half the price of the standard dish,” suggesting a $250 to $300 price tag. In the US, the company is currently selling the larger V4 standard dish for $499, following a $100 price cut last week.
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Regarding performance, Elon Musk provided a glimpse by sharing a speed test score showcasing the capabilities of the Starlink Mini dish. The test results indicated a download rate of 100Mbps, an upload rate of 11.5Mbps, and a latency of just 23 milliseconds.
The Mini dish may offer slightly slower download speeds compared to the regular Starlink dish, it is still sufficient for fulfilling everyday internet requirements, such as seamless 4K streaming. This suggests that the Mini dish is designed to cater to typical internet usage while maintaining reliable performance.
SpaceX is preparing to roll out the Mini dish “to select areas in a few months,” Musk added. “Mini can be a great low-cost option for a good backup internet connection if your landline goes out,” he wrote.
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The upcoming Starlink Mini dish could potentially attract SpaceX’s current customer base, which recently surpassed 3 million users. However, Elon Musk has not disclosed all the details about the dish. One important aspect that remains unanswered is the pricing structure for the monthly internet fee associated with the product, particularly if it is intended for temporary use.
Presently, users in the United States on the Starlink residential plan pay approximately $120 per month. The pricing strategy for the Starlink Mini dish will be crucial in determining its viability as a cost-effective solution for users seeking temporary internet connectivity.
