Samsung’s satellite connectivity to work on smartphones using Pixel 7 modem
Satellite connectivity has gained a little popularity since the debut of Apple’s flagship, the iPhone 14, and also from the latest Android OS, the Android 14. Satellite connectivity seems to be the next big thing in the world of technology and smartphones with the Pixel 7 modem might just be able to access Samsung’s satellite connectivity.
Further details on Samsung’s Satellite connectivity
Samsung’s approach to satellite communication – Samsung’s satellite connectivity – as announced in a press release, differs significantly from Apple’s. Although iPhone users can only send restricted messages, Samsung’s solution will allow for complete communications, as well as the possibility of sending photographs and perhaps movies in the future.
The system communicates via 5G NTN (non-terrestrial networks), transmitting data from your smartphone to satellites before relaying it back to ground stations. It can then be forwarded to emergency services or just to the intended recipient.
Samsung “designed and simulated 5G NTN standard-based satellite technology” on top of its Exynos 5300 modem, the same modem used in Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, as a proof of concept. It doesn’t mean Google’s phones will suddenly be able to connect to satellites, since Samsung has stated that this technology will be built into future generations of its Exynos modems – there could also be a possibility via Android 14.
Incidentally, earlier this month, Samsung stated that it would delay providing satellite connectivity to its handsets until the technology was ready. The timing of this Exynos announcement is not ideal for Samsung’s own devices, especially as Galaxy flagships worldwide transition to only using Qualcomm CPUs. Qualcomm unveiled its satellite connectivity earlier this year, but it is still not available on any smartphones.
