Optus can turn your iPhone 6 into a satellite phone

Optus has announced that its Optus Thuraya SatSleeve is now available for iPhone 6, allowing you to turn Apple's handset into a satellite phone that can be used when you're outside of mobile range.

Optus customers can use the SatSleeve to make voice calls, send SMS messages and use data on the Thuraya satellite network.

Simply click the iPhone 6 into the SatSleeve, activate the SatSleeve app, and the handset transforms into a satellite phone.

Flashing by… like satellites...

While the SatSleeve is now available for the iPhone 6, there is no mention of when the iPhone 6 Plus will be supported.

The Thuraya SatSleeve was already previously available to other handsets, including the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s and iPhone 4, as well as Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3.

The Optus Thuraya SatSleeve will set you back $800, plus an additional adaptor cost for each compatible handset of up to $100, and can be ordered from the Optus website

See which phones are best to use on the Optus network

Stephen primarily covers phones and entertainment for TechRadar's Australian team, and has written professionally across the categories of tech, film, television and gaming in both print and online for over a decade. He's obsessed with smartphones, televisions, consoles and gaming PCs, and has a deep-seated desire to consume all forms of media at the highest quality possible.

He's also likely to talk a person’s ear off at the mere mention of Android, cats, retro sneaker releases, travelling and physical media, such as vinyl and boutique Blu-ray releases. Right now, he's most excited about QD-OLED technology, The Batman and Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga.