SpaceX has unveiled the Starlink Mini 2, a portable satellite internet terminal with a built-in, removable battery, and opened invitation-only preorders for selected customers in the United States. Drive Tesla reported the launch on 9 November 2026, saying Starlink unveiled the kit “on Tuesday”, while iPhone in Canada, Interesting Engineering and Digital Trends published their accounts on 10 November.
Key facts
- Removable 71Wh battery rated for up to 4.5 hours of connectivity on one charge, with a quick-release mechanism, per all four reports.
- Battery weighs 490g (1.08lb) and charges over 60W USB-C, per Interesting Engineering; spare batteries are sold separately, per Drive Tesla.
- Dish measures 23.1mm thick and weighs 1.6kg with battery and kickstand attached, per Interesting Engineering.
- Built-in Wi-Fi 6 covering up to 167 square metres (1,800 sq ft), up from Wi-Fi 5 on the first Mini, and an IP67 rating, per Drive Tesla and Interesting Engineering.
- Invitation-only US preorders listed at $999 including 12 months of Roam Unlimited service, with shipments due to begin in mid-December, per Interesting Engineering.
Why it matters
Interesting Engineering reports that the removable battery is the biggest functional upgrade over the original Mini, because owners previously needed an external power source to run the terminal at all. That meant carrying extra equipment for camping trips, remote work or long journeys, the outlet says. Digital Trends makes the same point, noting the current Mini requires a separate power bank.
For readers outside the United States, the practical news is the gap. Interesting Engineering says SpaceX has not announced broader availability or international pricing, and Digital Trends says the company has not said when customers outside the US can order one. Starlink’s own wording, quoted by Drive Tesla, is only that the hardware is “coming soon to more customers and countries”.
What changed from the first Mini
Interesting Engineering puts the Mini 2 at 314 × 263 × 23.1mm (12.36 × 10.35 × 0.91in), roughly half an inch thinner than the original. Despite that, it is heavier: 3.53lb (1.6kg) against about 2.43lb for the first-generation terminal, with most of the extra mass coming from the detachable battery, the outlet says.
The battery carries LED indicators and its own USB-C charging port, and SpaceX supports 60W USB-C Power Delivery for the pack, according to Interesting Engineering. Drive Tesla and Digital Trends both list a physical power button, which Interesting Engineering says replaces the plug-and-play arrangement on the earlier model. iPhone in Canada notes the previous Mini relied on a DC power cable. Starlink News has separately reported that the company began shipping its Wi-Fi 7 Router 4 to homes in the US and Canada.
In the box
iPhone in Canada and Drive Tesla both list the same kit contents: the Mini 2 dish, the battery, a kickstand, a 60W USB-C power supply and a three-metre USB-C cable.
The price picture is not settled
Interesting Engineering reports that invited US customers are being offered the terminal plus a year of Roam Unlimited for $999 plus applicable taxes, a bundle SpaceX values at $2,100. Customers reserve with a refundable $100 deposit, with the remaining $899 charged when the device ships, the outlet says, adding that the introductory pricing and bundled subscription are exclusive to invited buyers.
The sources do not agree on what the hardware alone costs. Digital Trends reports that YouTuber DISHYtech found a $249 “Mini 2 beta kit” and a $50 spare battery in Starlink’s website backend, while cautioning that those listings do not establish final retail pricing. On Digital Trends’ own account the two figures are not like-for-like: the $249 entry is an unpublished backend beta SKU covering hardware only, while the invite-only $999 figure buys the dish together with the bundled year of service. iPhone in Canada describes the offer more loosely, saying the preorder includes the first year of service without naming a figure.
Availability and what Starlink has said elsewhere
iPhone in Canada says no Canadian price or arrival date has been announced, that the existing Mini remains the portable option there, and that Canadians can sign up for notifications on Starlink’s Mini 2 page. The same report notes the original Mini launched in Canada in 2024, and that some existing customers have been able to check the app for a 30% monthly discount — Starlink News has covered a 30% cut to Residential and Roam plans in Canada.
Distribution of Starlink hardware in the US has also been widening, with the company letting any US store sell its kits for commission. None of the four reports says how or when the Mini 2 will reach retail channels.
Background
Digital Trends reports that firmware references pointed to SpaceX working on a Starlink Mini with its own battery as far back as May, and that the original Mini was designed for travellers, campers and people needing internet away from regular networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly does the Starlink Mini 2 connect?
Starlink says users can get online in about 60 seconds with a clear view of the sky, according to Drive Tesla and iPhone in Canada, both citing the company’s product page. Interesting Engineering adds that the terminal has a 55-degree field of view for acquiring satellites.
What does the included Roam Unlimited plan cover?
Interesting Engineering reports the plan provides unlimited data for road travel, streaming and video calls, and supports connectivity while moving at speeds up to 100 mph. The same report says international travellers can use the service abroad for up to 30 days at a time.
Can the Mini 2 run without its battery fitted?
Yes. iPhone in Canada and Drive Tesla both report that the dish can be powered over USB-C at 60W instead of running on the pack, and that a depleted battery can be exchanged for a charged spare. Interesting Engineering says the quick-release mechanism works without tools.
How does the Mini 2 mount?
Drive Tesla and Interesting Engineering both report a foldable kickstand plus a standard 1/4-20 camera thread for tripod mounting.
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