Starlink Mini is the smallest Starlink available. It is larger than the average cellphone and is about the same size as a small laptop or tablet. Starlink offers a variety of antennas.
What is a specification? What are the use cases?
The larger Version 3 satellites boost signal strength
Version 3 Satellites are larger and offer significant benefits for transmission of signals.
The Power of More TransmittersSatellites with larger transmitters send stronger signals down to earth.
Bigger AntennasThe increased size of satellites allows larger antennas to transmit more powerful and focused signals.
Advanced BeamformingThis satellites will likely use an improved beamforming technique, which aims signals at specific devices or areas. The signal is improved, particularly for antennas on the ground.
These factors combined mean that the version 3 satellites will deliver a more powerful and reliable signal than current mini version 2.
The viability of smaller, lower-power antennas
Smaller antennas with lower power are directly benefited by the combination of smaller satellites at lower altitudes.
Antenna gain is reduced: As the signal reaches the ground more strongly, it means that antennas do not need to be as powerful (in terms of signal amplification) in order to maintain a connection. It allows smaller designs like the Starlink Mini Dish.
Reduced Power Consumption: Smaller, lighter antennas are ideal for mobile devices and situations that require energy-efficient solutions.
Possible Challenges: Because smaller antennas have a wider beamwidth, they may pick up more satellite interference. Advanced satellite technologies such as beamforming and interferance cancellation can mitigate this problem.
The smaller, lower power antennas are now not only feasible but practical, particularly in areas that lack service or coverage.
Small, Flat, and Passive Antennas for Satellite-to-Cellphone Use Cases
For satellite-to-cellphone communication, such as Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell (DTC) initiative, small, flat, and passive antennas could play a key role in enhancing performance:
What are they? :
Small: Can be integrated into a cell phone or attached to it.
These antennas can be flat and do not require large dishes.
The passive satellite receivers do not amplify the signals they receive; instead, they collect and concentrate what is received.
The Benefits of Cell Phones
The antennas are electronically steered to follow fast moving low-Earth orbit satellites such as Starlink, and do not require any physical movements.
They can improve the reception of a signal by improving its focus. This will allow for basic connectivity such as texting and voice calls.
They are compact and practical: Due to their flat, small size, they can be used as a portable accessory, or even as a built-in feature on phones.
Improve your performance:
Starlink DTC connects smartphones without modification directly to satellites to provide basic services. The stronger signals from smaller satellites at lower altitudes are already helpful, but adding an additional passive passive antenna to the mix could improve link quality even further.
It could, for example, improve the data rate or reliability of a network in difficult environments such as rural or urban areas with high interference.
Limitations:
Without additional hardware, passive antennas may not be able to handle high bandwidth tasks, such as video streaming.
Mobile Constraints
Interference Issues Satellite-to-Cellphone Connectivity
The planned changes enable significant progress in satellite-to-cellphone use cases:
Starlink’s DTC is a test of stronger signals that could enable basic communication on smartphones without modification.
Satellite internet can be more flexible for mobile users with accessories. Small, flat passive antennas that are not visible to the naked eye could improve performance.
Remaining Challenges:
Smaller antennas may pick up unwanted signals in crowded places, which requires advanced interference management.
Regulations can limit the performance of radios by limiting their frequency bands or power levels.
The battery drains faster when you add active or processing components to your phone.
Current Starlink Antenna Offerings
Starlink offers a variety of antennas to suit different applications, including residential and commercial. No flat, cellphone-sized antenna has been found (e.g. something similar to 6 inches in length, as on a smartphone) but the following models are known:
1. Starlink Mini
Size: About 12 x 15 x 1 inch (30 x 25 cm). This is roughly the size of a laptop.
Weight: Approximately 2.5 lbs (1 kg) with accessories. Up to 4 lbs when cables, mount and other items are added.
Bandwidth:
Download speed: 50-150 Mpbs (some tests reported up to 292 Mbps under ideal conditions).
Upload speed: 5-20Mbps (up to 14.5Mbps tested).
Latency: 23-60 ms.
Power Usage: Low-power (can run with USB-C powerbanks).
Cost:
Hardware: $599. (U.S. early access price; SpaceX plans to lower this in time).
Service: $1/GB after 50GB (120/month residential + 30/month mini roam addon).
Portable internet on the go for travellers, campers or rural users who need lightweight connectivity. The built-in WiFi router simplifies the process.
It’s the most compact consumer choice, and is designed to be easy to use.
2. Starlink Standard Gen 3
Size: Around the size of a pizza box, 19 inches by 12 inches or 48 cm by 30 centimeters. Includes a kickstand that can be detached.
Weight: 9.2 lbs (4 kg) without cables.
Bandwidth:
Download speed: 25-220 Mb/s (typically, 100+ Mb/s for the majority of users).
Upload speed: 5-20 Mb/s
Latency: 25-60 ms.
Power Consumption: 75 to 100 watts.
Cost:
Hardware: $349 – $599 (varies depending on region and availability).
Service: 120 dollars per month (Plan for residents in the U.S. with unlimited data and fair usage policy).
Use Cases: Residential or small businesses in underserved or rural areas. Ideal for homes with medium bandwidth requirements (up to 200 Wi-Fi users and 3,200 sq. ft. of coverage).
This is the standard option for consumers, available widely since 2021. Iterative improvements have been made.
3. Starlink High Performance Flat (HP)
Size: 22.4 by 14.7 in (57 cm x 37cm) slightly bigger than Standard Dish.
Weight: approx. 16 lbs (7 kg) without cables.
Bandwidth:
Download speed: 150-500 Mb/s
Upload speed: 20-40 Mb/s
In optimal conditions, the latency is reduced to 25-60ms.
Power Consumption: 110 to 150 watts.
Cost:
Hardware: $2,500.
Service starts at $140/month.
Applications: mobile and maritime (e.g. RVs, boats or business on the go). The design is for use in motion with an increased field of vision and greater reliability under harsh conditions.
Notes: This dish replaces the old High Performance dish. It is approved by the FCC for use in motion.
4. Starlink Commercial (Large-Scale Antennas)
The size of these flat-panel displays is larger than the “large, sphere-like designs” you mentioned. The exact dimensions may vary but are significantly larger than the consumer-level models.
Weight: Probably 50+ pounds (not usually portable).
Bandwidth up to 10 Gbps.
Use of energy: 200 to 500 watts, depending on the configuration and load.
Cost:
Hardware: Tens thousands of dollars for custom installations
Pricing: Customized pricing can be as high as $1,000/month.
Use case: Applications requiring large bandwidth, whether commercial or government, like the internet backbone of ISPs or military operations.
Please note that these are enterprise or gateway systems and not intended for consumers. Starlink’s Phased-Array tech is not the “sphere-like”, older satellite dish technology.
The Cell-Sized Antennes: Have They Been Introduced Yet?
SpaceX does not have a flat antenna the size of a smartphone (e.g. 3-6 inches). Starlink Mini is the smallest of all options, measuring 12 x 10. The development of a cellphone-sized array would represent a major technological advance, and require breakthroughs beyond the current phased array designs in terms of miniaturization. While SpaceX is working on Direct-to-Cell (DTC) capabilities–allowing satellites to connect directly to unmodified smartphones–this relies on satellite-side advancements (larger antennas on V2 satellites) rather than a tiny user terminal. DTC, announced by T-Mobile and other partners, will be available for voice/data and text messaging in 2025. However, users won’t need a cellphone-sized device to use the service.
As of March 2, 2020, there are rumors about a Starlink Mini antenna that is smaller than the original. However, no official SpaceX documents or FCC files confirm this. Starlink Mini is already at the limit of portable while still maintaining a viable bandwidth. Further shrinkage could compromise performance because reduced antenna area.
Understanding Costs and Bandwidth Insights
Starlink Mini is ideal for disaster response teams, backpackers and campers who need portable internet. The low-power design is ideal for off-grid usage, but its 50GB limit limits heavy use.
Standard: Ideal for small rural offices or homes with moderate power needs and stable electricity. This balances performance and cost for fixed locations.
Flat HP: This product is aimed at mobile business, marine users or RVs that require reliable high-speed Internet while on the move. The higher costs are due to its ability to move.
Commercial: ISPs or other large organisations that need massive bandwidth. The cost and energy usage reflects the size and demand of infrastructure.
The conclusion of the article is:
SpaceX does not have a flat-antenna the size of a smartphone yet; Starlink Mini, the consumer’s smallest option is available. There is a range of products from small portable gateways to larger commercial gateways. The Mini, Standard and Flat HP models are all available in a variety of sizes to suit varying needs. Future DTC advances may eliminate the need for terminals altogether, but at the moment, they cover a wide range. The cost of each model is based on its performance and the bandwidth/energy balance reflects their design goals. Keep an eye on SpaceX announcements–miniaturization is a stated goal, but a cellphone-sized device isn’t here yet.
Brian Wang, a Futurist and Science Blogger with over 1,000,000 monthly readers is one of the most popular Futurists. Nextbigfuture.com, his blog is the #1 Science News Blog. The blog covers a wide range of disruptive technologies and trends, including Space, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. It also includes Medicine, Antiaging Biotechnology and Nanotechnology.
He is known for his ability to identify cutting-edge technologies. Currently, he serves as a co-founder of a company and a fundraiser for early stage companies with high potential. He is Head of Research for Allocations for Deep Technology Investments and an Angel investor at Space Angels.
He is a frequent corporate speaker. In addition, he’s been a TEDx Speaker, a Singularity University Speaker, and a guest on numerous radio interviews and podcasts. He accepts public speaking engagements and advisory roles.
