In recent weeks, the rumour mill has been flooded with speculation about a potential Tesla-branded smartphone, the so-called "Tesla Pi Phone." However, Elon Musk himself has stepped forward to dismiss these claims, though he hinted that a phone might be developed under certain conditions involving tech giants Apple and Google. Let's separate the facts from the fiction and uncover what Musk has said about the possibility of a Tesla phone.
Speculation about the Tesla Pi Phone has circulated widely on social media, with rumours suggesting that this phone would feature revolutionary technology, such as a perpetual battery, Starlink satellite connectivity, and even functionality on other planets like Mars.
Yet, reputable sources, including Fact Crescendo and The Shortcut, have found no credible evidence to support these claims. Instead, these features remain a fusion of science fiction and fan speculation rather than grounded reality.
Myth vs. Reality: Unpacking the "Perpetual Battery" Claim
One of the most exciting yet far-fetched rumours suggests that a Tesla phone would have a "perpetual battery" that never needs recharging. Although Tesla has made impressive advancements in battery technology for electric vehicles, the idea of a self-charging phone battery defies the current boundaries of technology. Presently, no phone can operate indefinitely without recharging, and no breakthroughs in battery tech have been announced by Tesla to make this possible. This claim, though appealing, seems to be more fiction than fact.
Starlink Connectivity: From Satellites to Smartphones?
Another circulating rumour is that a Tesla phone would be equipped with Starlink satellite connectivity, allowing users to stay connected even in remote areas. Starlink, a project by SpaceX, Musk's other major venture, is aimed at providing global satellite internet. However, integrating Starlink directly into a mobile phone is highly impractical with current technology. While Starlink relies on satellite dishes, phones depend on cellular towers for internet connectivity. While future technological advances could make a satellite-compatible phone possible, this idea is speculative at best and far from realisation.
Functionality on Mars? A Lofty Stretch of Imagination
Another wild claim associated with the Pi Phone is its supposed ability to function seamlessly on Mars. Even if SpaceX were to establish a human presence on the Red Planet, building a reliable internet or cellular network there would take decades of development. So, while a Mars-compatible phone might someday be conceivable, it's certainly not in Tesla's immediate plans.
Musk's Response: Setting the Record Straight
In response to the swirling rumours, Elon Musk recently addressed the issue directly. During a Q&A session in Philadelphia, Musk quashed the idea of a Tesla phone. "Man, I sure hope we don't have to make a phone. That's a lot of work," he said, adding that the thought of venturing into the smartphone market "makes me want to die." He explained that Tesla's focus remains on electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and energy solutions—not smartphones.
However, Musk hinted that Tesla might consider creating a phone if pushed by anti-competitive actions from Apple or Google. Musk has been vocal about his concerns regarding monopolistic practices by major tech companies, specifically pointing to the control Apple and Google exert through their app stores.
Musk reiterated his reluctance to develop a Tesla phone during a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. "No, we're not doing a phone," he stated, though he admitted it could be a feasible project. "We could do a phone. The operating system of Tesla is Linux-based, but we've written a massive amount of software on top of that," he elaborated. Musk's comments indicate that while a phone is technically within Tesla's capabilities, it's not a current priority.
The Trigger Point: When a Tesla Phone Could Become Reality
Although Musk's comments suggest a Tesla phone isn't on the horizon, he didn't completely rule out the possibility. He suggested that if Apple or Google were to engage in particularly "bad practices," such as censorship or restrictive gatekeeping, he might be compelled to develop a Tesla-branded alternative. "If Apple, Google/Android started doing really bad things like censorship of apps or being gatekeepers in a really bad way, then I guess we would make a phone," Musk explained.
This sentiment follows ongoing tensions with Apple, especially after Musk claimed Apple threatened to remove Twitter (now X) from its App Store over content moderation concerns. The escalating friction between Musk and Apple has sparked widespread speculation, and many fans of Musk have been calling for a Tesla phone or "X Phone" as a potential alternative.
Musk's Focus: Electric Cars, Autonomy, and AI
At the end of his interview, Musk reiterated Tesla's main objectives: advancing electric cars, solving autonomous driving, and developing humanoid robots. "Our focus is on making great electric cars, solving autonomy so that cars can drive themselves; we're building humanoid robots, we've got large utility-scale battery packs with the MegaPack, home battery packs with PowerWall and solar," Musk emphasised.
For now, Tesla appears content to leave the smartphone market to established players. However, should tech industry tensions intensify, particularly around app store policies and censorship, Musk may well be compelled to enter the smartphone arena as a defensive manoeuvre.
