Elon Musk denies report of SpaceX AI phone prototype

Elon Musk has publicly rejected a report published Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) alleging that SpaceX demonstrated a “handset-like prototype” to some investors before its record-breaking initial public offering in June. According to WSJ, the device was “slimmer than an iPhone” and would run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, as well as use its own AI-enabled operating system with features powered by SpaceX-owned xAI.

Last week, the Financial Times reported that SpaceX chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell told investors the company is considering launching a mobile service in the US that would connect to its Starlink satellite network. Meanwhile, some analysts speculate SpaceX could acquire T-Mobile. Starlink is currently SpaceX’s only profitable business.

Musk has brushed off the idea of creating a phone in the past, but didn’t rule it out completely. During an event in Pennsylvania last October, he said, “the idea of making a phone makes me want to die,” but added, “if we have to make a phone, we will, but we will aspire not to make a phone.” In February, after Reuters reported that SpaceX was working on a phone for Starlink, the company stated it is “not developing a phone.”