What's satellite connectivity and how it works? Pixel 9, older Pixel devices may get the feature

Google has been in talks to offer satellite connectivity for some time now. The latest Android update on Pixel devices brought a new “Satellite SOS” menu, hinting that Google is finally ready to offer the much-awaited feature. However, Google removed it shortly after that. But a few findings in the code of Android 15 Beta 4 confirmed that Google will most likely unveil the Satellite SOS feature on the next Pixel, i.e. the Pixel 9. Further, a few strings in the code hinted that Google may update some of the older Pixels (Pixel 7, Pixel 8)  as well with the satellite connectivity feature. Well, we will have to wait to see if that happens. But since from now, the talks about satellite connectivity are only expected to intensify further, let’s look at what exactly is satellite connectivity, how it works, and how is it different from cell phone connectivity.

What’s satellite connectivity and how does it work?

Simply put, satellite connectivity is connectivity that allows two satellite phones or satphones to send and receive signals using the network created by satellites orbiting the earth. It’s a direct connection from a satphone to the satellites orbiting the earth, and back to the other satphone.

Since there are several satellites orbiting the Earth, satellite connectivity can cover a large area, allowing you to send and receive signals from anywhere, provided that there’s an open sky. However, satellite connectivity can be slower as it may take some time for your message to get delivered, unlike 5G using cell phone connectivity, which may deliver your message in an instant, thanks to the dense cell towers in urban areas today.

How is it different from cell phone connectivity?

Cell phone connectivity requires cell towers to be present everywhere. While in urban areas, there are plenty of cell towers to keep devices connected, in rural areas, there are still limited cell towers, hence poor network/connectivity. This is where satellite connectivity comes into the picture. Satellite connectivity is not limited to a single tower like cell phone connectivity, rather, it relies on satellites that cover a large area.

That said, you can get satellite connectivity in most places if you have a clear sky. But for cell phone connectivity, not having a cell tower near you is a hurdle. That’s why satellite connectivity is becoming the focus as it lets you contact others in emergencies.

Are there any phones that support satellite connectivity?

While there have been satphones for a long time now, they weren’t popular enough to be a chatter for the general users. That’s because of the accessibility and cost. However, that changed a few years back. Satellite connectivity has been a hot topic ever since Apple made it available to consumers with the iPhone 14 back in 2022.

While several brands tried to work in this space, we still haven’t seen anything that outperforms Apple’s satellite connectivity offering that’s in partnership with Globalstar, except for Motorola’s Defy. But again, that’s only one phone and the company behind its satellite connectivity tech already filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.

Apple’s satellite connectivity is a one-way feature and works only in emergencies. This means you can access it only when there’s no single on your phone. Also, you can only send an emergency SOS. But that may soon change with the features available on Android phones. As per Android 15’s beta previews, Pixel users will be able to send and receive messages through the satellite network. This means you won’t be limited to sending SOS. You can send and receive a text back. Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 may come with this feature if we go by the new “Satellite SOS” menu spotted on Pixel phones.

Google Pixel 9 series will likely be powered by Tensor G4 and be paired with an Exynos 5400 modem that supports satellite connectivity. But not all Pixel phones support the tech, the other Pixel devices that do are Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 with the Exynos 5300 modem. While Google hasn’t explicitly revealed if it plans to offer satellite connectivity on older models, the Android 15 Beta 4’s code gives a positive clue. We will have to see if Google plans to offer satellite connectivity on supported older Pixel devices like the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 or if it will be exclusive to the Pixel 9 series.

What all companies are working to bring satellite connectivity?

Other than this, many other manufacturers are working on bringing satellite connectivity, but there have been several hurdles. For instance, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon Satellite in partnership with Iridium back in January 2023, revealing that users will be able to do two-way messaging. However, that wasn’t successful as no smartphone manufacturer signed up to use it, probably because of the costs.

Samsung has Exynos 5300 and 5400 modems that enable satellite connectivity, however, it hasn’t been quite open about why it has not taken any bold steps to do anything further in the space.

MediaTek announced standalone chips that support satellite connectivity back in February 2023, which means OEMs can pair MediaTek standalone chips with their CPUs. However, so far we have seen the usage of the chip only in Motorola’s Derfy 2 and CAT S75. But again, Bullit Group, the firm that made satellite connectivity possible through MediaTek chip has shut down.

Apart from this, there are telcos in select regions that are working on satellite connectivity. However, the only brand that’s able to properly deploy satellite connectivity is Apple in partnership with Globalstar. But that may change with Google’s satellite connectivity feature on the Pixels.