Following Apple and Huawei’s lead, Samsung is also reportedly planning to add a satellite communication feature to the upcoming Galaxy S23 series. The Korean firm is said to be partnering with Iridium, a global satellite communications company, to transmit data such as text messages and low-capacity images via satellite.

South Korean publication Etnews claims Samsung is preparing to introduce satellite communication feature to upcoming Galaxy S23 smartphones with an aim to transmit data such as text messages and low-capacity images at hundreds of kbps.

The publication says, “Over the past two years, Samsung has worked hard to overcome satellite communication’s technological challenges.” It will reportedly be teaming up with Iridium, which is a well-established satellite communications company based in the US. Iridium provides voice and data communication services in outer space using 66 low-Earth orbit communication satellites.

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To enable voice and high-speed data communication via satellite, a large antenna (RF) is required, but it is probably the last thing anyone would want to see in a modern-day smartphone. So, the biggest challenge involved with Sat-com is to make an antenna that doesn’t strike out. Etnews says Samsung is done with this part.

In addition, the technology to integrate mobile and satellite communication modems to process digital data is also reported to be largely completed. Samsung is yet to confirm any details about this new feature.

As mentioned, Huawei and Apple have already introduced the satellite communication feature with their latest flagships. iPhone 14 users in the US and Canada can use this new feature to communicate with emergency services when cellular reception is not available. The Cupertino company says in ideal conditions with a direct view of the sky and the horizon, a message sent via Sat-com might take 15 seconds to send, and over a minute to send under trees with light or medium foliage.

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