Last year, Huawei and Apple respectively added satellite connection functions to their flagship mobile phones. Among them, the iPhone 14 is more eye-catching. In an emergency, users can use satellites to send help messages in territories without telecommunications network coverage. Qualcomm has just announced the Snapdragon Satellite function, which will provide similar satellite communication services to Android phones.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Satellite uses its partner Iridium to send and receive messages around a network of 66 low-orbit satellites around the earth. The major difference from the emergency SOS function provided by Apple and Huawei is that Snapdragon Satellite supports two-way receiving and sending of emergency messages, and can also be used for general SMS text messaging and other instant messaging programs. Qualcomm emphasizes that the functions are not limited to emergency use, but can also use for general communication in remote areas, rural areas, or offshore locations.
For premium phones
To use the Snapdragon Satellite, the unit needs to have at least a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a Snapdragon X70 Modem. Qualcomm said that the function is expected to be launched first in designated regions in 2023, will be available in next-generation smartphones, and will be further expanded to notebooks, tablets, cars, and Internet of Things products in the future. As for the cost and charging model of the Snapdragon Satellite, Qualcomm has not mentioned it yet.
