Starlink V5 is the new antenna that takes up less space and consumes less power

SpaceX has officially unveiled the new satellite connectivity kit Starlink V5.

The new version focuses on improving efficiency and reducing the device’s physical dimensions, offering users a lighter and more eco-friendly alternative to the previous model, without sacrificing the reliability of the connection.

Starlink V5 is official: what’s changing?

The new Starlink V5 terminal stands out clearly from the V4 version introduced in 2023. Instead of chasing purely higher speeds, Elon Musk’s company has steered development toward practicality of use and sustainability.

The new antenna weighs 1.1 kg, drastically reducing the 2.9 kg of the previous model. Overall dimensions have been reduced to 384 x 306 x 34 mm, offering a footprint considerably smaller than the 594 x 383 x 39.7 mm of the previous generation.

This reduction in volume is accompanied by a gain in power efficiency. Starlink V5 requires between 35 and 50 W to operate, effectively halving the energy demands compared to the V4 version, which drew between 75 and 100 W.

This is a crucial advantage especially for those using the antenna in remote contexts, powering it via solar panels, portable generators, or onboard backup batteries on campers and boats.

Performance on par with the previous model

From a data transfer speed standpoint, Starlink V5 supports a declared bandwidth above 375 Mbps, a value slightly below the previous model’s nominal 400 Mbps, but more than enough to handle high-data-demand activities such as 4K streaming, work video calls, and online gaming in domestic settings with multiple connected devices.

The kit is distributed together with the Router Mini and includes an adapter for pole mounting, ideal for roof installations.

The new antenna is not designed for operation on the move, a feature that remains the prerogative of the Starlink Mini variant. The rollout of Starlink V5 has begun initially in some selected areas of the United States, including some locations in Montana, where it is offered in conjunction with the basic residential plans.

SpaceX plans to progressively extend commercial availability as mass production comes fully online.