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

SpaceX is refining the Starlink Mini for a second generation, and the changes suggest a tighter focus on portability at the cost of raw data throughput. Buyers who rely on the device for heavy uploads should expect slower performance, while those prioritizing a lighter, battery-integrated form factor will likely find the trade-off acceptable. The new terminal, identified in leaked schematics as mini2_prod1, shrinks the physical footprint and integrates power management directly into the chassis.

Hardware revision shrinks footprint and adds internal power

The hardware revision replaces the original Starlink Mini’s external power reliance with a built-in 4-cell (4S) lithium battery. This internal power source is managed by a BQ40Z-series battery management system, allowing the terminal to operate as a standalone unit. The device retains the Catapult System on Chip and GPS support found in the first generation, ensuring that in-motion connectivity remains a core feature of the platform.

Starlink Mini 2 Key Specs

• Antenna Panel Dimensions: 225 x 273 mm
• Antenna Elements: 549
• Battery Type: 4-cell (4S) lithium battery
• Charging Interface: USB-C Power Delivery (11V-24V input)
• SoC: Catapult SoC

Physical dimensions have been trimmed, with the internal antenna panel shrinking from 236 by 276 millimeters to 225 by 273 millimeters. The antenna array itself uses 549 elements, a slight reduction from the 571 elements in the original model. To manage heat within this smaller enclosure, SpaceX has raised the thermal throttling thresholds for the MAC layer to 95 degrees Celsius and 99 degrees Celsius, while setting the battery thermal shutdown limit at 80 degrees Celsius.

The most significant performance change involves a drastic cut in the transmit duty cycle, which has dropped from 75 percent to just 11 percent. This reduction lowers the average Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power to 27.4 dBW and will likely result in slower uplink speeds, particularly during sustained data uploads. Charging is handled via USB-C Power Delivery with an input voltage range between 11V and 24V. The exact battery capacity remains undisclosed, but the leaker attributes the duty cycle cut to power budget constraints inherent in the new design.

Source: NotebookCheck