T-Mobile lists all Starlink data-capable phones and apps ahead of Pixel 10 release date

Google and T-Mobile pulled a surprise Starlink data-capable phone announcement during the presentations of the new Pixel 10 series of handsets at the Un-carrier.

Big Magenta said that the newest Google Pixel phones will be the first that can take advantage of Starlink satellite Internet data connectivity after the Pixel 10 series release date on August 28.

The affordable Pixel 9a before it, however, which is now discounted on Amazon, only supports satellite messaging and won't be able to exchange pictures or use app data with Starlink satellite connectivity.

That is the takeaway from the list of Starlink data-ready phones and apps that T-Mobile has finally posted ahead of the T-Satellite data service option general release in October. All other Google Pixel 9 or newer phones in the series are either supporting Starlink data exchange at the moment, or support is arriving soon.

Apple's iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 series will also be able to take advantage of the Starlink satellite Internet data service on T-Mobile, as well as a number of older Samsung phones, with a few exceptions. The lowly Samsung Galaxy A14 won't support the Starlink data service, for instance, which is somewhat explicable given its price range.

The fact that the Galaxy S21 series will never be able to use Starlink data service on T-Mobile may leave its subscribers who still rock Samsung's 2021 flagships a bit miffed. Those who shelled out for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3, and even for their Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 successors also needn't apply, despite the relatively high purchase price of Samsung's foldable phone line.

This is especially jarring given the fact that some of T-Mobile's own affordable line of phones, like the Revvl 7, 7 Pro, or the T-Mobile Revvl 8 are listed with Starlink data support "coming soon." Last but not least, no 2024 Motorola phone on T-Mobile will offer Starlink data support with the T-Satellite service, increasing the list of incompatible handsets to 14.

T-Mobile fought for Starlink satellite Internet service compatibility of older phones before the FCC and won individual exemptions for a lot of those, but the upcoming Starlink data connectivity won't arrive to all of the golden oldies.

The first apps that are optimized for the limited bandwidth of the T-Satellite data option, however, are now a go. Unsurprisingly, given the Pixel 10 Starlink data option exclusivity, they are all Google apps and include stalwarts like Google Maps, Google Messages, and the Find Hub service for locating lost phones linked to one's Google account.