Since Apple introduced satellite connectivity on iPhones, very few Android manufacturers were able to follow suit. Even so, Google as the Android developer, has recently added support of satellite-based messaging on Android 15. New findings suggest we won’t have to wait for too long to see it trickle to other Android devices.
The satellite connectivity on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 (review) is integrated with iMessage on iOS 18 and the Emergency SOS service. This allows users to connect with emergency responders when no cellular or Wi-Fi networks are available. It appears Google could adopt the latter on Android.
As discovered by Android Authority from the decompiled Android 15 Beta 4 update, there are code strings that refer to a dormant feature called Satellite SOS. Further code strings specify this would be labeled as Pixel Satellite SOS, although the naming convention could be adopted differently by Android OEMs.
The line also described it as a satellite-based functionality tied to the messaging used when connecting to emergency services which is how Apple’s satellite connectivity worked when it was launched in 2022. Specifically, it requires the default messaging to be set to Google Messages.
Another interesting footnote from the findings is how Google will make the feature free for two years, although it wasn’t specified which devices they were referring to.
Which Google Pixel phones could sport satellite connectivity?
Currently, it is presumed Pixel Satellite SOS will debut on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro devices through Android 15, which are set to be unveiled on August 13. So why would older Pixel models miss out on this feature?
It is likely the satellite connectivity will require a dedicated chipset to communicate with low-orbit satellites. Based on the rumor, the Pixel 9 is tipped to include a Samsung Exynos broadband chip that works with non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). This is a faster and more efficient method compared to the iPhone. Now, it’s up to Google which satellite provider they would choose.
Are more Android phones getting the feature?
However, it should be noted that Google was found to be working on adding T-Mobile’s satellite messaging service prior. Notably, this has the advantage of not requiring any additional hardware to be installed in devices as it relies on true satellite-to-cellular networks. To that end, Google might enable this on a wider list of Pixel devices and even on other Android handsets.
At the same time, the same outlet has also discovered that Samsung is preparing to integrate satellite messaging with its official emergency service and messaging app. However, it’s still unknown which Galaxy devices are compatible with it.
Concerning the availability of the feature, the roll-out of satellite messaging on Android could become market dependent. Nonetheless, we will soon find out which countries it will be offered in first.
Have you been wanting for more manufacturers to add satellite connectivity or messaging on their devices? What are your views on the feature? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
