Starlink Mini launched in Botswana in November following the earlier launch of the Starlink Standard in August. Although they use the same technology to provide internet, Starlink Mini and Starlink Standard have some core differences which we will discuss on today's edition of Decoder.
Sizes: Starlink Mini is compact in size, portable, and recommended for basic internet applications.
Starlink Mini Kit covers up to 112 m² (1,200 ft²) and comes with everything you need to get online in minutes. Its compact design and low power consumption make it ideal for fixed and portable use.
Starlink Standard is recommended for high-demand everyday internet applications.
Starlink Standard Kit covers up to 297 m² (3,200 ft²), can endure extreme weather and environment elements, and comes with everything you need to get online in minutes. Its high-speeds make it ideal for streaming, video calls, and gaming.
Price: Perhaps most important for most consumers is the price difference between Starlink Mini and Starlink Standard in Botswana. While the Mini costs P2,400 directly from the Starlink website with a monthly subscription of P400, the Standard costs a bit more at P4,000 for the kit and P688 for the monthly subscription.
However, it is important to note that in case of increased bandwidth traffic, traffic from the Standard will take preference over traffic from the Mini, meaning the former will perform better than the latter.
First Time Setup Process: Both Starlinks are electronic phased array antennas, meaning they can track the signal from satellites overhead without the need to physically move. Once Starlink is properly set up with no obstructions and proper alignment, you will not be required to adjust it again in the future. Both hardware's are set up by the user manually adjusting the Starlink with guidance from the alignment tool in the Starlink App.
Included Equipment:
Starlink - Starlink Standard has a slightly larger surface area than the Starlink Mini.
Router - The Starlink Standard comes with a Gen 3 WiFi Router, whereas Starlink Mini comes with integrated WiFi.
Mount - Both Starlink Mini and Starlink Standard come with a built-in kickstand that can flip out for quick deployment or fold away for storage, making them suitable for quick setup or portable use. They can also be drilled into a flat surface for permanent installation. Additionally, the Starlink Mini Kit includes a pipe adapter mount, designed to attach to any existing pole with a diameter between 31 mm (1.25 in) and 50 mm (2 in).
Cables - Both include a Starlink cable length of 50 ft (15.2m) with longer cable options on the shop, specific to each kit.
Power Supply - Both Starlink Standard and Starlink Mini power supply stand alone as a separate item.
Info source: Starlink