Elon Musk Clarifies: No Starlink Phone in Development at SpaceX

The denial comes amid speculation fueled by a Reuters report suggesting the company was exploring a mobile device to boost revenue ahead of a potential initial public offering (IPO).

The Controversy Begins

The controversy began when Reuters published an article claiming SpaceX was developing a "Starlink phone" that would directly link to the company's satellite constellation, potentially rivaling established smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung. According to the report, this move was part of a broader strategy to expand Starlink's offerings, including direct-to-device internet services, as the satellite internet division continues to generate significant profits.

Musk's Response

Musk, however, took to X (formerly Twitter) to debunk the claims. In one post, he stated simply, "We are not developing a phone." In another response, he accused the news outlet of misinformation, writing, "Reuters lies relentlessly." These statements align with Musk's consistent position that SpaceX has numerous priorities and that a phone project is not currently on the agenda.

This is not the first time Musk has addressed the idea of a Starlink-compatible device. Just a week earlier, in late January 2026, he responded to a user's suggestion on X that a "Starlink phone would be so sick," saying, "Not out of the question at some point. It would be a very different device than current phones. Optimized purely for running max performance/watt neural nets." While this left the door open for future possibilities, Musk emphasized that any such device would focus on advanced AI capabilities rather than traditional smartphone features.

SpaceX's Starlink has seen rapid growth, providing high-speed internet to remote areas via a constellation of thousands of satellites. The company has already partnered with mobile carriers for direct-to-cell services, allowing standard smartphones to connect to satellites without additional hardware. Musk's denial suggests that SpaceX is prioritizing these expansions and other core projects, such as reusable rocket development and Mars missions, over entering the competitive smartphone market.

Industry analysts note that while a Starlink phone could theoretically disrupt the telecom sector by offering global connectivity without reliance on ground-based towers, the challenges of manufacturing and competing with giants like Apple would be substantial. For now, Musk's clarifications put the rumors to rest, redirecting focus to SpaceX's ongoing innovations in space technology and satellite communications.