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Apple has expanded support for NavIC to some of the new iPhone 15 models, seemingly in line with New Delhi’s push to adopt India’s own alternative to the GPS navigation system.
On the tech specs page of the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple says that the new models support NavIC. This is the first time Apple has added support for NavIC to any of its iPhone models. However, the company did not specify which features will be included in the implementation. An Apple spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus variants do not support NavIC, according to their official technical specifications.
Navigation with Indian Constellation, which became operational in India in 2018, is India’s bold attempt to build an independent, self-contained navigation satellite system. Developed by Indian space research organization ISRO, NavIC provides accurate positioning and timing information over India and the surrounding region.
Through more than half a dozen satellites, NavIC extends coverage across the entire landmass of India.
Its applications span transportation (terrestrial, air and marine), location-based services, personal mobility, resource monitoring, surveying and geodesy, scientific research, time dissemination and synchronization, as well as the dissemination of warnings on the safety of lives. ISRO.
Last year, India began pushing smartphone makers to add support for NavIC within a few quarters, Reuters reported at the time, citing government documents. Many smartphone manufacturers were concerned that the necessary hardware changes would slightly increase the cost of the phones.
The global iPhone 15 Pro models also support NavIC, according to official spec pages. Numerous smartphones – including Xiaomi’s Mi 11X, 11T Pro, OnePlus Nord 2T and Realme 9 Pro support NavIC.