SpaceX scales Starlink V5 production as smaller dish debuts in select US markets
The Starlink V5 dish is now available in limited US regions, including Montana, exclusively for the entry-level $55 monthly plan. The hardware shift coincides with a broader manufacturing ramp-up following the company’s recent public listing.
SpaceX has begun rolling out its Starlink V5 residential satellite dish in select United States markets, marking a significant shift in the company’s consumer hardware strategy. The new terminal, which debuted in regions such as Drummond, Montana, offers a smaller form factor and improved energy efficiency compared to its predecessor. However, the upgrade comes with a trade-off in peak data throughput, as the V5 supports a slightly lower data rate than the widely deployed V4 model.
According to specifications released by the company, the V5 dish weighs just 2.4 pounds, a substantial reduction from the 6.5-pound V4 unit. Its physical dimensions have also been compressed to 5.12 by 12.05 by 1.34 inches, down from the V4’s 23.4 by 15.1 by 1.5 inches. This compact design is intended to simplify installation, with the kit bundled with the Router Mini and including a pipe adapter for rooftop mounting.
Power consumption has been cut nearly in half with the new hardware. The V5 operates on 35 to 50 watts of power, compared to the 75 to 100 watts required by the V4. Despite these physical and efficiency gains, the V5 supports a maximum data rate of 375+ Mbps, which is marginally lower than the 400+ Mbps capability of the V4. SpaceX has clarified that the V5 is not designed for in-motion use, distinguishing it from the portable Starlink Mini terminal.
Availability of the V5 is currently restricted to the company’s most affordable offering. In initial rollout areas, the dish is exclusively bundled with the $55 per month Residential plan. Customers subscribing to higher-tier services, including the Residential and Residential Max plans, continue to receive the V4 dish paired with the superior Router 3. This tiered approach suggests SpaceX is using the V5 to optimise costs for entry-level users while maintaining performance standards for premium subscribers.
The hardware release follows a period of intense corporate expansion for SpaceX. The company completed its Initial Public Offering on the Nasdaq on 11 June 2026, raising $75 billion and valuing the enterprise at approximately $1.77 trillion. CEO Elon Musk has indicated that the V5 will be produced in much higher volumes than current terminals, aligning with the company’s broader roadmap that includes a next-generation Starlink Mobile network scheduled for launch in mid-2027.
