Elon Musk has dismissed recent reports claiming that SpaceX is developing a Starlink smartphone, taking to X to set the record straight.

“We are not developing a phone,” Musk wrote in response to a Reuters story suggesting that SpaceX had been exploring a Starlink-connected mobile device “for years” as part of plans to expand into new markets ahead of a potential IPO.

Musk also called the report misleading, adding, “Reuters lies relentlessly.”

The rumours stemmed partly from SpaceX’s recent trademark filings for “Starlink Mobile” and “Powered by Starlink,” which describe two-way voice, video and data transmissions via a hybrid satellite-terrestrial network.

While these filings opened the door to speculation, analysts emphasise they don’t constitute a commitment to produce a phone.

Musk has, however, hinted at the possibility of a new type of mobile device in the future.

In January, he suggested that any hardware from SpaceX would be “very different from current phones” and optimised for “running max performance/watt neural nets,” indicating a focus on AI rather than traditional smartphone features.

This aligns with SpaceX’s broader ambitions to evolve Starlink into a global carrier, leveraging partnerships with T-Mobile and EchoStar and its growing satellite infrastructure.

Starlink with Telstra

While Musk has envisioned Starlink functioning like a mobile network operator, he has stressed that it wouldn’t replace existing carriers but could offer satellite-based coverage in remote areas.

For now, though, there are no active plans to launch a Starlink phone. But Musk’s comments may leave room for potential future innovation, particularly as SpaceX integrates AI capabilities from its xAI acquisition and expands its direct-to-device services.

With Starlink already serving millions worldwide via its constellation of nearly 10,000 satellites, any new hardware would likely aim to complement its connectivity network rather than compete directly with existing smartphones.