Apple boasted about the emergency satellite feature in its iPhone 14 series, but Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Satellite will soon equip Android phones with a far better version of this technology
Snapdragon Satellite is the world’s first solution that offers two-way messaging via satellite. The iPhone 14’s technology only offers one-way emergency-only satellite messaging, with the feature not yet available in most of the world (including Australia).
Snapdragon Satellite will work for two-way text messaging, and will also be used by supporting messaging apps. It will feature in next-generation Android smartphones using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, as well as in Garmin products. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System.
“Robust and reliable connectivity is at the heart of premium experiences,” said Durga Malladi, Qualcomm’s senior vice president and general manager of cellular modems and infrastructure.
“Snapdragon Satellite showcases our history of leadership in enabling global satellite communications and our ability to bring superior innovations to mobile devices at scale.
“Kicking off in premium smartphones later this year, this new addition to our Snapdragon platform strongly positions us to enable satellite communication capabilities and service offerings across multiple device categories.”
Render of a modern living room, digitally generated.
Brad Trenkle, vice president of Garmin’s outdoor segment, welcomed the innovation.
“Garmin welcomes the opportunity to expand our proven satellite emergency response services to millions of new smartphone users globally,” said Trenkle.
“Garmin Response supports thousands of SOS incidents each year and has likely saved many lives in the process, and we are looking forward to collaborating with Qualcomm Technologies and Iridium to help people connect to emergency services no matter where life takes them.”
As Malladi said, Snapdragon Satellite will feature in various smartphones later this year.
