Fi Ultra is the first dog tracker that works where cell coverage ends; thanks to Starlink satellites
Fi Ultra is the world's first dog tracker with Starlink satellite connectivity via T-Mobile T-Satellite; keeping dogs trackable off-grid, beyond cell coverage.
Fi has just announced the Fi Ultra, and it solves the single biggest limitation of every GPS dog tracker on the market: what happens when your dog goes somewhere without cell coverage.
Until now, the answer was that you lost them on the map; Fi Ultra changes that by building in satellite connectivity through T-Mobile's T-Satellite network, powered by SpaceX's Starlink.
It's being positioned as the world's first consumer wearable outside the smartphone category to ship Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity as a core design feature. For anyone who takes their dog genuinely off-grid (backcountry hikes, rural properties, remote camping) that's a meaningful first.
Our own trail dog Kepler has worn a Fi collar daily for years, so this is a brand and ecosystem we know inside out. Here's what the Ultra actually brings to the table.
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The problem it solves
Every GPS dog tracker, including Fi's own excellent Series 3+ collar and the smaller Fi Mini, relies on cellular networks to report location.
In a city or suburb, that's fine; coverage is everywhere. But the moment your dog slips a fence on a rural property, or a hike takes an unexpected turn deep into a canyon or forest, the tracker goes quiet. No signal, no location, no visibility. Exactly when you need it most.
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This has always been the fundamental gap in dog tracking, and it's the thing that makes losing a dog in the backcountry so frightening. Fi Ultra is the first consumer product to address it directly.
How the satellite connectivity works
Fi Ultra runs what the brand calls dual-backhaul operation.
In plain terms: it uses regular LTE (on T-Mobile's network) whenever cellular coverage is available, and automatically switches to satellite when it isn't. The handoff is seamless and requires no action from you; the tracker figures out which network to use and does it in the background.
The satellite side runs on T-Mobile's T-Satellite service, which uses SpaceX's Starlink low-earth-orbit satellites, the same constellation trusted by remote industries and emergency responders.
Coverage is US-wide at launch. It means that even miles from the nearest cell tower, Fi Ultra can still report your dog's location. Fingers crossed this new satellite tech helps bring Fi to a more global market.
Backing that up is a dual-band L1/L5 GPS chip, a genuine upgrade over the single-band GPS in the Series 3+ and Mini. Dual-band positioning is more accurate, especially in tricky environments like tree cover and canyons where single-band GPS tends to drift. And unlike other Fi devices, the Ultra keeps GPS always on for continuous location data rather than periodic pings.
Fi Callback: bringing your dog back without a shock
The other headline feature is Fi Callback, a training and recall system built into the device. It uses a combination of sound (a piezoelectric speaker) and vibration (a haptic motor), each with three adjustable intensity levels, to help guide a dog back to you on command.
The important detail here, and one Fi is clearly proud of: it uses no static electric shock. This is a recall aid based on sound and vibration cues, not an e-collar. For the many dog owners who won't use shock-based training, that's a meaningful distinction.
One note: the Fi Callback Safe Zone boundary triggers (using sound/vibration when a dog crosses a geofence) are listed as coming after launch, not available on day one so we'll see when that drops...
How it compares to the Series 3+ and Mini
The Ultra sits above Fi's existing lineup as the adventure-focused flagship. The tradeoff to be aware of is battery life:
- Fi Ultra: 2+ days battery, dual-band always-on GPS, satellite + LTE, Fi Callback, USB-C
- Fi Series 3+: 3+ months battery, single-band GPS, LTE only, wireless charging
- Fi Mini: 2–3+ months battery, single-band GPS, LTE only, USB-C
That battery difference is significant and worth being upfront about. The always-on dual-band GPS and satellite radio draw far more power than the Series 3+'s periodic check-ins, which is how the S3+ achieves its multi-month battery life.
The Ultra is a different tool for a different job: it's for active tracking on adventures, not set-and-forget everyday wear over months.
For most everyday dogs, the Series 3+ or Mini still make more sense.
The Ultra is specifically for dogs and owners who spend real time beyond cell coverage. If that's you, the always-on connectivity is worth the nightly charge.
Bundle support: Usefully, the Ultra works alongside an existing Series 3+ or Mini on the same dog, with the app showing a two-device status. So you could run a Mini for everyday battery-efficient tracking and clip on the Ultra for backcountry trips.
Specs
- Model: U1
- GNSS: Dual-band L1/L5 high-precision GPS, always on
- Connectivity: LTE Cat-1bis on T-Mobile + Starlink via T-Satellite
- Bluetooth: 5.4 | Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz
- Battery: 513 mAh, 2-day life, USB-C charging
- Audio/Haptics: Piezoelectric speaker + vibration motor (Fi Callback), 3 intensity levels each
- Size: 75 × 40 × 25mm | Weight: 68g
- Water resistance: IP68 and IP66K, tested in salt water
- Materials: Aluminum, stainless steel, polyamide/nylon
- Mounting: Universal integrated clip (works with standard collars/harnesses; snaps onto existing Fi collars for S3/S3+ users)
- Availability: United States
Pricing
- New members: $199 hardware + $20 activation fee, plus membership at $189/year or $339/2 years
- Existing Fi members: $299 flat fee, uses your existing membership
Fi Ultra is available from fitracking.com starting July 8th. It's designed for adventure dogs of any size and works with standard collars and harnesses, or snaps directly onto an existing Fi collar for Series 3/3+ owners.
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