Last year, speculation was rife that Samsung would introduce satellite connectivity to the Galaxy S23, akin to the emergency calling and messaging feature in the iPhone 14. However, upon release, the Galaxy S23 did not feature satellite connectivity for emergency services. Recent reports now hint at Samsung’s potential inclusion of this feature in their smartphones next year.
South Korea’s Vision for Satellite Data Transmission
In an interview with Yonhap News (via @Tech_Reve), Lee Jong-ho, South Korea’s Minister of Science and ICT, revealed that local smartphone manufacturers are contemplating a service that allows data transmission between 5G-equipped phones and satellites. Given Samsung’s dominance in the South Korean smartphone landscape following LG’s departure, it’s widely speculated that Samsung might incorporate satellite connectivity into its devices in the upcoming year.
Lee Jong-ho commented, “While I cannot provide definitive confirmation, I am aware that the domestic industry is contemplating the commercialization of this service next year, with expectations of a satellite communication-related standard being established during that time.”
Galaxy S24: Satellite Connectivity on the Horizon
The prospect of incorporating two-way satellite connectivity into the Galaxy S24 in 2024 is also generating interest. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, powering Samsung’s recent premium models, possesses the capability to connect to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites for emergency calling and messaging. However, devices like the Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Z Fold 5 omitted this satellite connectivity feature. Samsung cited the underdeveloped state of the satellite connectivity ecosystem as the reason for its absence, indicating that they would await its maturity before implementing the feature. Reports suggest that Samsung is collaborating with Iridium Communications, a company with a low-earth orbit satellite constellation tailored for emergency communications.
Galaxy S24 Lineup and Satellite Connectivity Prospects
Looking ahead to next year, Samsung is anticipated to unveil the Galaxy S24 lineup in the first quarter. This lineup, including the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra, is expected to come in two versions: one powered by the Exynos 2400 chip and the other by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Should satellite connectivity indeed find its way into the Galaxy S24, it will likely necessitate hardware-level activation, even for the Exynos 2400 variant. Samsung has reportedly developed two-way satellite connectivity for their Exynos chips, a technology that could potentially be integrated into the Galaxy S24. Presently, Huawei stands as the sole Android manufacturer offering satellite connectivity in their devices.
The Significance of Two-Way Satellite Connectivity
The implications of two-way satellite connectivity in smartphones are noteworthy. This feature empowers phones to establish connections with low-earth orbit satellites, facilitating the capability to make calls and send messages in areas devoid of cellular coverage. This functionality holds the potential to provide aid or medical assistance to individuals stranded in remote locations. Looking ahead, technological advancements may pave the way for standard phones to possess two-way satellite communication without the need for supplementary hardware. A preliminary demonstration of such technology was observed in testing on the Galaxy S22.
