SpaceX announced the Starlink Mini 2 on November 10, 2026, the next version of its smallest portable satellite internet terminal. The main change is a removable battery that gives up to 4.5 hours of connectivity without a wall socket. The new model also adds Wi-Fi 6, a thinner body, and an IP67 rating for dust and water. Preorders are open by invitation to select customers in the United States, with a reported $999 price that includes a year of Roam Unlimited service. Shipments are expected to start in mid-December.
Starlink Mini 2 at a glance: what is new
SpaceX announced the Starlink Mini 2 on November 10, 2026, as the next generation of its portable satellite internet terminal. The main changes are a removable 71Wh battery with up to 4.5 hours of use, Wi-Fi 6, a thinner 23.1mm body, and an IP67 rating, with invitation-only preorders for select US customers.
The original Starlink Mini was already portable, but it was not independent. It needed an external power source, which meant carrying a battery pack or staying near a vehicle outlet. The Mini 2 removes that limit by combining the dish, router, and battery in one unit about the size of a laptop, and SpaceX says it can get online in 60 seconds with a clear view of the sky.
Starlink announced the device on its official X account on November 10, 2026, calling Mini 2 the next-generation portable Starlink, with up to 4.5 hours of connectivity on a single charge. The announcement was covered the same day by The Verge, Interesting Engineering, and Notebookcheck. The product page says the Mini 2 is coming soon to more customers and countries, but it names no dates.
The quick-swap battery: up to 4.5 hours without a socket
The Mini 2 has a removable 71Wh battery that SpaceX says gives up to 4.5 hours of connectivity on a single charge. The battery weighs 1.08 pounds (490 grams), clips on and off without tools, and can be swapped for a charged spare while the terminal stays online.
The battery is the change that matters most, because it changes where the Mini 2 can be used. A camper, a field worker, or a traveler can set the dish on open ground and stay online without a generator or a wall socket. The 4.5 hour figure is the maximum SpaceX claims, and real run time will vary with signal, weather, and data use.
The battery is a 71Wh pack with LED status lights and its own USB-C port. It charges over USB-C at up to 60W, and the kit includes a 60W wall adapter and a three-meter USB-C cable, according to Interesting Engineering. Spare batteries will be sold separately. A physical power button replaces the simpler plug-and-play setup of the original Mini.
Wi-Fi 6 and coverage up to 1,800 square feet
The Mini 2 upgrades the built-in router from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6, and SpaceX says the wireless coverage reaches up to 1,800 square feet (167 square meters), so one dish can serve phones, laptops, and tablets across a campsite or a work site.
Wi-Fi 6 is faster and handles more connected devices at once than the Wi-Fi 5 radio in the original Mini, which matters outdoors, where several people may share one dish. A family at a campsite can stream video, make calls, and browse on separate devices. The 1,800 square foot coverage figure is a SpaceX claim for open space, and walls, trees, and distance will reduce it.
The dish still needs a clear view of the sky, and SpaceX says it can get online in about 60 seconds under that condition. The terminal has a 55-degree field of view, which helps it lock onto satellites quickly. It works far from cell towers and wired broadband, as long as the sky above is open. For readers who use a phone as their main device outdoors, the TechNewsNest guide to the Google Pixel 10 series covers phones built for that kind of use.
Design, size and durability
The Mini 2 measures 12.36 by 10.35 by 0.91 inches (314 by 263 by 23.1mm), weighs 3.53 pounds (1.6 kilograms) with its battery and kickstand, and carries an IP67 rating for dust and water, with a foldable kickstand and a standard tripod thread.
The Mini 2 is thinner than the original Mini, at 23.1mm against 38.5mm, but it is heavier, because the battery adds weight. The full unit weighs 3.53 pounds with the battery and kickstand, against 2.43 pounds for the original Mini. The face is slightly larger, at 12.36 by 10.35 inches, against 11.75 inches wide on the first Mini. Owners will feel the extra pound, but they no longer need a separate power bank.
The IP67 rating covers dust and water, which fits a device meant for campsites, boats, and work sites. The foldable kickstand props the dish at the right angle, and a standard 1/4-inch-20 tripod thread lets the owner mount it on a tripod on uneven ground.
Setup: online in 60 seconds with a clear sky
SpaceX says the Mini 2 gets online in 60 seconds with a clear view of the sky, because the dish, router, and battery are built into one unit, so setup means placing the dish, pointing it at open sky, and connecting a phone or laptop to its Wi-Fi.
Setup has three steps, and none needs tools. First, place the dish where the sky is open, using the kickstand or a tripod. Second, turn it on with the power button and let it find the satellites. Third, connect a device to the built-in Wi-Fi network. SpaceX says the dish can be online in 60 seconds with a clear view of the sky. Trees, buildings, and heavy cloud can slow the first connection.
The 55-degree field of view helps the dish lock on without precise aiming, but the owner still needs a clear view. A balcony under a roof or a dense forest will block the signal, and a phone app guides the setup. For a first trip, test the dish at home in an open yard before relying on it in a remote place.
Roam Unlimited: what the plan covers
The $999 invitation preorder includes the Mini 2 hardware and 12 months of Roam Unlimited, which SpaceX values at $2,100, with unlimited data for road travel, streaming, and video calls, use while moving at up to 100 mph, and use abroad for up to 30 days at a time.
Roam Unlimited is the plan that makes the Mini 2 useful on the move. It provides unlimited data, covers streaming and video calls, and works while the vehicle moves at speeds up to 100 mph. Travelers can also use the service abroad for up to 30 days at a time, which covers most holidays and work trips.
The value of the included year depends on how the owner uses it. SpaceX values the 12 months of Roam Unlimited at $2,100, more than double the $999 invitation price. That makes the bundle look strong, but only if the owner would pay for a full year of Roam Unlimited anyway. After the included year ends, the owner will need a paid Roam plan, and SpaceX has not published the renewal price.
Price and availability: the $999 invitation offer
Preorders for the Starlink Mini 2 are open by invitation to select US customers, with a reported $999 price that includes the hardware and 12 months of Roam Unlimited, a $100 refundable deposit, the remaining $899 charged when the device ships, and first shipments expected in mid-December.
The price needs care, because SpaceX has not published a standard retail price for the Mini 2. The $999 figure comes from invitation screenshots shared by customers on X and reported by The Verge, showing $999 for the hardware plus a full year of Roam Unlimited, which SpaceX values at $2,100. Customers can reserve with a $100 refundable deposit, and SpaceX charges the remaining $899, plus taxes, when the device ships. Initial shipments are expected in mid-December, according to Interesting Engineering.
A second price has also been reported, and it is not confirmed. Notebookcheck found code on the Starlink site pointing to $249 for the dish and $50 for a spare battery. That figure is not a published price, and it conflicts with the $999 invitation offer, so this article does not treat it as the price. Buyers should rely on the price shown in their own invitation. SpaceX has not announced broader availability or international pricing.
Starlink Mini 2 compared with the original Mini
The Mini 2 adds a removable 71Wh battery, Wi-Fi 6, a thinner body, and an IP67 rating, while the original Mini needs an external power source, uses Wi-Fi 5, and is thicker at 38.5mm but lighter at 2.43 pounds. The Mini 2 weighs 3.53 pounds with battery and kickstand.
Battery: Mini 2 has a removable 71Wh battery with up to 4.5 hours of use. The original Mini has no built-in battery and needs an external power source. Wi-Fi: Mini 2 has Wi-Fi 6 with coverage up to 1,800 square feet. The original Mini has Wi-Fi 5. Thickness: Mini 2 is 23.1mm thick. The original Mini is 38.5mm thick. Weight: Mini 2 is 3.53 pounds with battery and kickstand. The original Mini is 2.43 pounds. Dimensions: Mini 2 is 12.36 by 10.35 inches. The original Mini is 11.75 inches wide. Rating: Mini 2 has an IP67 rating. Mounting: Mini 2 has a foldable kickstand and a 1/4-inch-20 tripod thread.
The trade is clear. The Mini 2 is heavier, but it works without a socket, and its wireless is faster. Owners of the original Mini who already carry a power bank may not feel the need to upgrade, while owners who found the power cable annoying, or who want Wi-Fi 6 and a tougher body, have a reason to look at the new model. The TechNewsNest guide to Android 16 covers the software many Mini 2 owners will use on their phones while traveling.
Who should buy it, and who should wait
The Mini 2 fits travelers, campers, remote workers, and people in areas with weak cell coverage who need internet away from mains power, while buyers who stay near outlets, already own the original Mini with a power bank, or live outside the United States should wait for wider availability and a confirmed price.
The best case for the Mini 2 is a person who works or travels where power and cell signal are unreliable. A camper can run it from its own battery, a field worker can set it on a tripod and stay connected, and a van traveler can mount it on the roof and use Roam Unlimited on the road. For those users, the battery is not a bonus, it is the point of the device.
Waiting is the better choice in three cases. First, buyers outside the United States cannot order yet, because preorders are limited to select US customers by invitation. Second, buyers who want a plain hardware price should wait, because the $999 invitation offer bundles a year of service, and the standalone price is not confirmed. Third, owners of the original Mini with a working power setup gain little. The Mini 2 is a real upgrade, but it is an upgrade for people who need battery power, not for everyone.
What to check before you preorder
Before preordering, read the invitation itself, because the $999 price comes from customer screenshots rather than a published price list. Confirm the $100 deposit is refundable and the remaining $899 is charged at shipping. Note the mid-December shipping window, check for a clear view of the sky where the dish will be used, and plan power after the battery runs out, since a spare battery costs extra. The included year of Roam Unlimited ends after 12 months, and the renewal price has not been published.
Frequently asked questions
The questions below cover the battery, the price, the release date, and who the Mini 2 is for, using only facts from Starlink, The Verge, Interesting Engineering, and Notebookcheck.
When was Starlink Mini 2 announced?
SpaceX announced the Starlink Mini 2 on November 10, 2026, on the official Starlink account on X, and preorders opened the same day by invitation to select US customers.
How long does the Starlink Mini 2 battery last?
SpaceX says the removable 71Wh battery gives up to 4.5 hours on a single charge. That is a maximum claim, and real run time varies with signal, weather, and data use. Spare batteries will be sold separately.
How much does Starlink Mini 2 cost?
The reported invitation price is $999, which includes the hardware and 12 months of Roam Unlimited that SpaceX values at $2,100. The price comes from invitation screenshots reported by The Verge, not a published price list, and a $100 refundable deposit reserves the order.
When will Starlink Mini 2 ship?
Initial shipments are expected in mid-December 2026, according to Interesting Engineering, with the remaining $899 plus taxes charged at shipping.
Is Starlink Mini 2 available outside the United States?
Not yet. Preorders are limited to select US customers by invitation. Starlink says the Mini 2 is coming soon to more customers and countries, but it has named no dates or international prices.
What is the difference between Starlink Mini 2 and the original Mini?
The Mini 2 adds a removable 71Wh battery, Wi-Fi 6, a thinner 23.1mm body, and an IP67 rating. The original Mini needs an external power source, uses Wi-Fi 5, and is thicker at 38.5mm.
Does Starlink Mini 2 need a clear view of the sky?
Yes. The dish connects through the Starlink satellite network, so it needs a clear view of the sky. SpaceX says it can get online in 60 seconds with a clear view.
Sources
- Starlink on X, Introducing Mini 2, November 10, 2026
- Interesting Engineering, SpaceX launches Starlink Mini 2 with a swappable battery, November 10, 2026: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/starlink-mini-2-swappable-battery-launch
- Notebookcheck, Starlink launches rugged Mini 2 dish, November 10, 2026: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Starlink-launches-rugged-Mini-2-dish-with-50-battery-add-on.1447103.0.html
- Tech Prolonged, Starlink Mini 2 has a clip-on battery, November 10, 2026: https://techprolonged.com/2026/11/starlink-mini-2-has-a-clip-on-battery-but-its-price-is-still-unclear/
- Drive Tesla Canada, Starlink Mini 2 unveiled, November 10, 2026: https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/starlink-mini-2-unveiled-quick-swap-battery/
- Tesla Oracle, SpaceX unveils Starlink Mini 2 satellite broadband terminal, November 10, 2026: https://www.teslaoracle.com/2026/11/10/spacex-unveils-starlink-mini-2-satellite-broadband-terminal-with-built-in-battery-and-wi-fi-support/
