Elon Musk made a daring offer to Apple that could have reshaped the future of iPhone connectivity. Tim Cook’s rejection sparked a rivalry that’s heating up with legal battles and technological clashes.

In the world of technology, few rivalries have been as intense as the ongoing battle between Elon Musk and Tim Cook. Both heads of iconic companies, Musk and Cook, have repeatedly clashed over everything from innovation to market dominance. The latest chapter in their ongoing feud has been marked by an ambitious offer from Musk that could have drastically changed the future of smartphone connectivity.

But Apple’s CEO Tim Cook chose a different path. What followed was not only a business decision but a full-blown confrontation that is reshaping the landscape of satellite connectivity. As this battle unfolds, SpaceX’s Starlink service and Apple’s Globalstarpartnership have become the key players in a race for technological supremacy.

Musk’s Bold $5 Billion Proposition

In the months leading up to the launch of Apple’s iPhone 14 in 2022, Elon Musk made a game-changing proposal to Apple. According to Apple Insider, His company, SpaceX, offered Starlink satellite connectivity for the iPhone, with the deal requiring Apple to pay $5 billion upfront and $1 billion annually after an 18-month exclusivityperiod. This offer, Musk believed, was too lucrative to decline, and he even set a strict 72-hour deadline for Apple to accept.

However, Tim Cook turned down the deal, opting instead for a partnership with Globalstar, a smaller satellite service. Cook’s decision, while surprising to many, was grounded in a strategic choice to align with a provider that was perceived as less risky and more in line with Apple’s cautious approach. Despite the rejection, Musk’s response was swift and calculated.