Starlink Mini 2 Leaked: Built-in Battery, Slower Uploads

SpaceX is refining its portable satellite internet hardware with the Starlink Mini 2, a device that prioritizes compact integration over raw speed. This shift matters because the new terminal packs a built-in battery and a smaller antenna array, making it easier to carry for field use but potentially limiting upload performance. Users who need to stream data or host servers may notice slower speeds compared to the previous generation.

SpaceX terminal packs internal power but cuts transmit duty cycle significantly

The new terminal, internally identified as mini2_prod1, replaces the older external battery setup with an internal 4-cell (4S) lithium battery. SpaceX manages this power source using a BQ40Z series battery management system (BMS). The device accepts charging input between 11V and 24V through a USB-C Power Delivery port, allowing flexibility in power sources.

Starlink Mini 2 Key Specifications

• Antenna Dimensions: 225 x 273 mm
• Antenna Elements: 549
• Battery Type: 4-cell (4S) Lithium
• Battery Management: BQ40Z series BMS
• Charging Interface: USB-C Power Delivery

SpaceX reduced the antenna size to 225 x 273 mm and decreased the number of antenna elements from 571 to 549. The terminal uses the Catapult System on Chip (SoC) found in the previous model. Thermal management settings have also changed, with MAC thermal throttling thresholds raised to 95°C and 99°C, while the battery thermal cutoff remains at 80°C.

Performance metrics show a significant drop in transmit duty cycle, falling from 75% in the old model to just 11% in the Mini 2. This reduction likely causes upload speeds to decrease, as the device spends less time transmitting data. The Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) is also slightly lower at 27.4 dBW, down from 27.57 dBW.

Battery capacity details remain undisclosed in the current leak. No pricing or availability information has been released for the Starlink Mini 2. The confirmed specifications focus on the internal battery integration and the trade-off between physical size and transmission efficiency.