Many high-end Android phones will get satellite connectivity later this year

Many high-end smartphones running on Android will get satellite connection later this year. Satellite company Iridium and chip maker Qualcomm have entered into a partnership to make that possible.

Satellite connection

In the Netherlands we will generally not notice it much: with us there is actually a connection everywhere. But if you live somewhere in Sweden, you certainly don’t always have mobile coverage and then such a satellite connection comes in handy. It can also be useful for shipping, for example: anyone who has ever taken the ferry to Newcastle knows that your phone on the open sea quickly panics: where is the network?

This collaboration can have a positive influence on that, especially because many Android smartphones contain Qualcomm chips. Qualcomm calls the new function Snapdragon Satellite and there is a chance that an extra fee will be charged for it, especially if it will also come to tablets, laptops and possibly even vehicles.

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Qualcomm chips

In Europe we often have Qualcomm chips in high-end devices, but often not in high-end Samsung devices. However, that is probably different per Samsung Galaxy S23 (but we will hear more about that on February 1).

Mind you, such a satellite network doesn’t mean you can happily TikTok and spend hours calling your grandma: it’s currently only available for sending and receiving basic text messages in case of an emergency. It also concerns millions of telephones that will soon be able to do this in one go, so that it is still quite small-scale in terms of possibilities at first, which is not a disaster: as long as it works in an emergency.

Manufacturer

However, there is another catch, because unfortunately it is not just a matter of having a Qualcomm chip in your device. It is also up to the manufacturer of your phone. It should still make it possible to use this service.

Satellite network seems to be gaining popularity: Apple also announced it for iPhone 14 in September and Bullitt was the first in the UK. Again, it is for emergencies only.

Image source: Wizwow