Satellite Communication Archives - Gizmochina

iPhones to Get Starlink Satellite Connectivity? New Leak Sparks SpaceX & Apple Partnership Rumors

Sean — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 13:29:46 +0000

Back in 2022, Apple unveiled the iPhone 14 series with support for the life-saving satellite connectivity feature. This has since become a staple for iPhones, returning on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 lineup as well. It seems like Apple is now working on improving this technology with a secret partnership with SpaceX and T-Mobile.

Apple joins hands with SpaceX & T-Mobile for Starlink connectivity for iPhones

A new Bloomberg report claimed that the Cupertino based giant has been working with SpaceX and T-Mobile in secret to bring Starling satellite connectivity to the iPhones. This likely takes advantage of the partnership between T-Mobile and SpaceX that was also announced back in 2022. The report further adds that T-Mobile has already begun testing this feature for a limited number of iPhone users.

It is currently in the beta phase so it likely isn’t a polished experience at the moment. However, the feature is currently available to users that are running iPhones with iOS 18.3, which was recently released earlier this week. In an official note for the T-Mobile Starlin beta, the telecom brand stated that “You can now stay connected by texting via satellite from virtually anywhere. To start experiencing coverage beyond, please update to iOS 18.3.”

For those unaware, the carrier had previously stated that Samsung Galaxy phones would be getting Starlink communication support. The collaboration between T-Mobile and Starlink with Apple only supports sending messages via satellite communication. However, there are plans for bringing voice calls and data sometime in the future. In the past, the iPhone maker was rumored to be working with GlobalStart for its satellite connectivity feature on its smartphones. But now, the partnership might be expanding with T-Mobile who claimed that all users will get access to this feature later this year.

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Satellite Connectivity: Which Phones Support It and Do You Really Need It?

Sean — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 14:19:15 +0000

Satellite connectivity is one of the latest advancements in smartphone technology, offering users the ability to stay connected even in remote areas where traditional cellular networks fail. While this feature has been around for some time now, this technology is mostly seen in premium devices. But how does it work, which phones support it, and do you really need it? Read on to find out.

Which Phones Support Satellite Connectivity in 2025?

As of 2025, satellite connectivity isn’t a universal feature but it is slowly being adopted by premium phones. It is currently being offered by a couple of brands, so let’s check them out:

Samsung

Samsung’s latest Galaxy S25 series brought support for satellite messaging. This was initially rumored to arrive with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it finally made an appearance with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy powered S25 series. But there’s a catch, the company didn’t widely market this feature since it isn’t available to everyone. Samsung only offers satellite connectivity with one satellite operator, Skylo (which is only in partnership in the US with Verizon).

Apple

Apple is another brand that offers satellite connectivity, allowing you to send SOS messages from the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 series. The service is more widely available on the newer models, unlike Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series.

Huawei

Huawei first introduced satellite connectivity with the launch of its flagship Mate 50 series. The lineup supported short text messages via the BeiDou satellite network. This was later upgraded to include audio calls in the newer Mate 60 Pro. The newer Pura 70 Ultra supports satellite communication which brings image sharing without an internet connection.

Google

With the Pixel 9 series, Google also joined the satellite communication race. It offers emergency SOS messaging in collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink system.

Xiaomi

The Chinese tech giant’s Xiaomi 15 Pro, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and MIX Fold 4 are two models that bring support for two-way satellite communication. So you get access to network access even in remote areas. The upcoming Xiaomi 15 Ultra is expected to feature this technology as well.

There are a bunch of other brands that also support satellite communication like Oppo (Find X8 Pro Satellite Edition), Nubia (Z60S Pro), Honor (X60), and others.

Do You Really Need Satellite Connectivity?

Satellite connectivity isn’t a feature that one would use every day. But depending on your lifestyle, it could be very important. For instance, f you frequently hike, camp, or travel to remote areas, satellite connectivity can be a lifesaver in emergencies. It also ensures that travellers can have some peace of mind in areas with unreliable cellular networks.

However, However, it’s not essential for everyone. The technology serves no purpose to urban users and can bring additional costs to the customers (if the service has a subscription model). Most implementations are restricted to text messaging or SOS alerts since voice calls and internet access have yet to hit the mainstream. So for now, whether you need it depends on how often you find yourself off the grid.

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Honor X60 Series confirmed to offer Satellite Communication & a massive battery

Sudhanshu — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 15:36:13 +0000

Honor is gearing up to unveil its new X60 series smartphones next week, promising higher-end offerings than its previous X60i model. The company has been teasing features on Weibo, including a massive battery and satellite communication capabilities.

The star of the show is likely to be the “Honor Qinghai Lake” battery, boasting a capacity of 6,600mAh. This is a significant upgrade from the 5,800mAh batteries found in the X50 series. Honor claims that the X60 will offer two days of battery life on a single charge.

While the company has yet to confirm the charging speed, leaked photos suggest that at least one model will feature 35W charging. It remains unclear if the 6,600mAh battery will be available on all X60 models or just the Pro variant.

In addition to the battery, Honor has revealed that the X60 series will support satellite communication. This feature allows users to send and receive messages in areas with limited cellular coverage. This will likely be the first device in its segment to offer satellite connectivity.

As the launch date approaches, we can expect more teasers and details about the Honor X60 series. In the meantime, check out all of the features of the Honor X60 series below.

Honor X60 specs (expected)

A recent report has disclosed nearly all the details about the Honor X60. The device is expected to come with a 6.8-inch AMOLED display that offers FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It will be powered by the Dimensity 7025 chip, featuring 12 GB of RAM and an additional 12 GB of virtual RAM, along with 256 GB of storage and a 5,800mAh battery that supports 35W fast charging. On the camera front, it will sport a 108-megapixel primary camera on the back and an 8-megapixel selfie camera. The device will operate on MagicOS 8 based on Android 14.

(Source 1, 2)

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Xiaomi Mix Flip certified in China with Satellite Connectivity support

Sean — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 09:13:47 +0000

Xiaomi is rumored to be working on a new foldable phone. The device in question is expected to feature a clamshell folding design and could be the Xiaomi Mix Flip. Now, the latest sighting in a Chinese certification platform has revealed more details regarding the upcoming device. So let’s have a look.

New Xiaomi Mix Flip surfaces on MIIT

The Chinese tech giant’s upcoming Mix Flip model was spotted on the MIIT certification platform. Looking at the online database, we can see the smartphone carries the 2311BPN23C model number. This is in line with our previous report with a previous IMEI database also listing the device with the same model number. The latest sighting in China confirms an interesting feature that could be making its way to the Xiaomi Mix Flip.

The new foldable phone was listed with support for satellite communication, which is a popular feature that has been arriving on flagship devices in recent times. Unfortunately, the MIIT certification does not reveal any other finer details regarding this device. Although a previous leak for tipster Digital Chat Station revealed some key specifications of the Mix Flip. The new Flip phone is rumored to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC.

Renders of the Mix Flip `online also offered us a look at its design. The rear houses a horizontally aligned triple camera setup, which is expected to include a 3x telephoto lens. A small external screen is situated right below the rear camera module. Meanwhile, the front has a tall clamshell screen with a center aligned punch hole cutout for the selfie camera. This is all the information we have at the moment so stick around for more updates.

Honor Trademarks Satellite Communication Feature, Expected with Honor Magic 6

Simranpal Singh — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 02:55:16 +0000

There have been reports about the presence of satellite communication on the upcoming Honor Magic 6. The rumors got wind after Honor CEO Zhao Ming confirmed details about the inclusion of satellite communication in the upcoming devices. The new Flagship from Honor is highly anticipated to launch by the second week of January. The company is unveiling the Honor 90 GT and Honor Pad 9 today in China.

The new information reveals that Honor has applied for the “Honor Hongyan” trademark for satellite communication with the authorities. As reported by the Digital Chat Station on Weibo, it could debut via the upcoming Honor Magic 6. There are few details available at the moment about the new feature. However, we expect more information in the coming time.

Honor Magic 6 Series Specifications (Rumored)

Previous leaks state that the Honor Magic 6 Series will launch, comprising the Honor Magic 6 Pro, Magic 6 Porche Design Edition, standard Magic 6 Pro, and Magic 6 Lite. The smartphones are said to feature high-end specifications and features.

A recent leak claims that the Honor Magic 6 will feature a quad-curved OLED panel with 2840 PWM dimming. The smartphone is protected with the Oasis eye-protection feature, along with a better display and glass protection than its predecessor, the Magic 5. It will house the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC with the radio enhancement chip C1, which supports satellite communication.

The Honor Magic 6 will feature a 5800 mAh battery with 66W fast charging support. In the camera department, it will feature a 1-inch 50MP primary sensor with OIS support, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens. It will run Magic 8-based Android 14. Following the trend, the Magic 6 Pro will use an AI model with 7 billion parameters, enhancing critical intelligence among apps.

Some design renders also leaked, showing the Honor Magic 6 Pro in detail. The smartphone embeds slight design changes in comparison with its predecessor. The device will come with IP68 dust and waterproof certification.

The smartphone is also spotted on 3C with 100W specifications. Along with the Magic 6 Pro, Honor is also working to announce a flip smartphone early next year.

OPPO Find X7 Ultra will be exclusive in the series to get the Satellite connectivity feature

Debasish — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 05:43:18 +0000

Renowned tipster DCS has brought forth the latest revelations about the OPPO Find X7 series, providing insights into the unique features of the Oppo Find X7 Ultra. The upcoming flagship series from OPPO includes a standard version equipped with a Dimensity 9300 processor and a 3X single periscope, while the Pro and Ultra models will boast a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with a 3X + 6X dual periscope. Notably, the Ultra variant stands out with its exclusive support for satellite communication capabilities.

Satellite connectivity will reportedly be exclusive to the Ultra model

OPPO had previously announced its commitment to integrating satellite communication technology into its next-generation Find flagship products. However, specific models featuring this advanced capability had not been disclosed until now. The Ultra model of the OPPO Find X7 series takes center stage with its exclusive satellite communication features, adding a new dimension to connectivity options.

Recent 3C certifications revealed two OPPO phones, namely PHZ110 and PHY110, hinting at their association with the impending OPPO Find X7 series. Both devices secured certification as 5G digital mobile phones, signaling their compatibility with high-speed networks. Additionally, the certification disclosed the adoption of 100W fast charging, underlining OPPO’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology.

For a glimpse into the configuration of the OPPO Find X7 Ultra, enthusiasts can reference the Pro version of the model, which has already been exposed. According to DCS, the OPPO Find X7 Pro boasts a 6.82-inch 2K display with a 120Hz LTPO refresh rate. The micro quad-curved screen maintains a curvature shape similar to its predecessor, while the fingerprint solution remains an ultra-thin optical fingerprint. The device introduces a new three-segment button, enhancing user interaction. With these advancements, OPPO promises a feature-rich and technologically advanced flagship experience with the Find X7 series.

Vivo may integrate satellite communication in the Vivo X100 Pro+

Debasish — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 05:47:00 +0000

The latest Vivo X100 Pro+ is reportedly undergoing testing for satellite communication capabilities. While the Vivo X100 series made its debut in November with the Vivo X100 and Vivo X100 Pro, the Pro+ variant, equipped with satellite communication, is yet to be officially announced.

After Huawei and Oppo, Vivo is also working on satellite communication

Vivo is actively experimenting with satellite communication functionality. This move aligns with the trend set by Huawei, whose flagship phones like the Huawei Mate 60 Pro have already integrated satellite communication features.

oNotably, the OPPO Find X7 series has officially declared its support for satellite communication technology. The president of the Honor product line has hinted at satellite communication support in the upcoming flagship, expected to debut with the Magic 6. Xiaomi, too, has been rumored to be testing satellite communication capabilities. Although, it is unknown whether the Xiaomi 14 Ultra will pack this feature.

It’s not only mainstream phone brands delving into this innovative space. In November, China Telecom introduced the Tianyi Bolton S9, a 5G satellite dual-mode communication phone priced at 4599 yuan (~$650). This device comes equipped with a built-in satellite antenna, adopting the conventional phone form factor without the need to change SIM cards or numbers. The Tianyi Bolton S9 integrates China’s self-developed Tiantong satellite mobile communication system, supporting two-way Tiantong satellite voice communication and ensuring uninterrupted nationwide communication.

Vivo‘s move to test satellite communication in the X100 Pro+ suggests a growing interest for this feature among both manufacturers and consumers. With various players in the industry actively exploring this technology, it is expected to become a standard feature in mobile devices in the near future.

Related:

(Source)

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Honor Magic 6 & Oppo Find X7 Series to feature satellite communication, low power calling, and more: Tipster

Sean — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 12:34:55 +0000

Honor and Oppo are gearing up to launch their latest flagship series of smartphones from the Magic 6 and Find X7 lineup respectively. But prior to their release, a new leak has revealed a couple of features that could be making their way to the new high end devices.

Honor Magic 6 & Oppo Find X7 Series Rumored Features

The news arrived from known tipster Digital Chat Station, who shared the information on Weibo (a Chinese microblogging website). The leaker claims that both premium grade smartphone series will feature a mini chipset for satellite communication technology, proprietary low power calling tech, and heat dissipation for improved performance.

The low power calling feature will likely compliment the satellite communication as an emergency contact method. Meanwhile, the heat dissipation technology will help lower thermal throttling to maintain high performance for longer with powerful chips like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the Magic 6 series. Just recently, we covered a report on Honor’s self-developed satellite communication technology.

Interestingly enough, the tipster is also doubling down on his previous claim of the Oppo Find X7 series featuring satellite communication. The Honor Magic 6 and Oppo Find X7 series could also include high end image technology, as per the tipster. Based on what we know so far, the Find X7 will also come with MediaTek Dimensity 9300 while the Find X7 Pro will be equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC.

Honor reveals progress in self-developed satellite communication technology, expected to feature in Magic 6 series

Rajesh Regmi — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:03:18 +0000

At the 2023 Digital Ecosystem Satellite Mobile Communications Industry Development Forum in China, Honor’s General Manager Li Kun announced significant advancements in the company’s self-developed satellite communication technology.

According to him, Honor’s solution has successfully addressed three major technical challenges in satellite communication: antenna size, call duration, and overall communication experience.

This breakthrough is expected to provide consumers with a seamless satellite communication experience, featuring the smallest antenna size, the most stable signal, and the most power-efficient operation.

According to industry insider Digital Chat Station, Honor’s new satellite communication technology is expected to be integrated into the upcoming Honor Magic6 series smartphones, scheduled for release before the Spring Festival. These devices will also feature Honor’s proprietary low-power calling and heat dissipation technologies.

In a separate development, Honor CEO Zhao Ming revealed plans to deepen the integration of Honor’s AI model with MagicOS.

Honor also teased its on-device LLM (Large Language Model) powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip a while ago. This LLM processes all data stored on the device, including photos, contacts, videos, and more, providing users with faster and more reliable results.

Related:

(Via)

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Huawei Does Not Have Exclusive Rights to Satellite Communications, Says China Telecom

Oğuz Çakır — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 00:50:18 +0000

Smartphone technologies continue to advance, making our lives easier with new products. One clear example of this is the satellite connection feature. This technology, first introduced with the iPhone 14, is now used in models from various brands, including Samsung and Oppo. Another manufacturer aiming to stand out with the satellite connection feature is Huawei. Moreover, there were claims suggesting that the company not only wanted to benefit from this technology but also aimed to prevent others from doing so. However, China Telecom has clarified that this is not true. Here are the details…

China Telecom Launches Mobile Direct Satellite Service, Allows Users to Add Satellite Communications to Existing Cellular Plans

China Telecom has confirmed that Huawei does not have exclusive rights to satellite communications technology. The company is also planning to cooperate with more phone makers to promote the adoption of this technology. In September 2023, Huawei launched the Mate 60 Pro smartphone, which was the first to support satellite communications. The phone allows users to make calls and send text messages even in areas with no cellular coverage.

Some industry insiders had speculated that Huawei had exclusive rights to satellite communications technology, which would have delayed the launch of similar features from other phone makers. However, a China Telecom spokesperson told Sina Technology that Huawei does not have exclusive rights to the technology. The spokesperson said that implementing satellite communications in a smartphone requires significant technical expertise and investment, covering areas such as chips, protocols, and terminals.

“Currently, only the Huawei Mate 60 Pro supports satellite communications,” the spokesperson said. “We are planning to cooperate with more phone makers to make this technology available to everyone.” The Huawei Mate 60 Pro is a high-end phone with a relatively high price. China Telecom’s goal is to make it possible for people to use satellite communications with a more affordable phone.

In addition to working with phone makers, China Telecom has also launched its own satellite communications service, called “Mobile Direct Satellite.” This service allows users to add satellite communications to their existing cellular plans. The service is available to all China Telecom customers, and it does not require users to switch to a new SIM card or phone number.

China Telecom to Launch Own Satellite Communications Phone, Tianyi Bodun S9

China Telecom says that its mobile direct satellite service leverages the company’s exclusive operation of the Tiantong-1 satellite constellation. The service covers all of China’s territory and territorial waters. China Telecom also plans to launch its own satellite communications phone, the Tianyi Bodun S9. The phone will be available on November 10. It has a built-in satellite antenna and can be used to make and receive calls and send and receive text messages.

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(source)

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US Space Force contracts SpaceX for Starshield satellite communications

Sean — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:07:12 +0000

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has been contracted by the US Space Force. The company has received the 70 million US Dollar contract to provide satellite communications using its new Starshield program. So here’s everything you need to know about this deal.

SpaceX Starshield: What’s it all about?

Starshield is basically SpaceX repurposing its Starlink network of satellites to offer functionality for the US military. As per official notes, it is a “secured satellite network for government entities”. The contract has a duration of one year. According to a US Space Force spokesperson, “The SpaceX contract provides for Starshield end-to-end service (via the Starlink constellation), user terminals, ancillary equipment, network management and other related services.”

During the initial stages of the contract, the Space Force will pay SpaceX a sum of 15 million US Dollars, which will have the latter offer 54 military “mission partners” across Department of Defence (DoD) branches. Interestingly enough, this news soon after US senators criticized SpaceX’s actions in Ukraine. It was recently revealed that Elon Musk refused to extend Starlink coverage to allow for a naval attack against Russian forces.

The senators expressed their dismay at his actions saying that “We are deeply concerned with the ability and willingness of SpaceX to interrupt their service at Mr. Musk’s whim”. Elon Musk shot back stating that “Starlink needs to be a civilian network, not a participant to combat. Starshield will be owned by the US government and controlled by DoD Space Force.”

RELATED:

(Via)

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Xiaomi, Oppo, & Others Working on Satellite Communication for Future Phones with Qualcomm

Sean — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 11:30:33 +0000

Xiaomi, Oppo, and a bunch of other smartphone makers are working on bringing satellite communication technology on their future smartphones. The news arrives from an announcement from Qualcomm at the MWC 2023 event in Barcelona. So here are all the details.

During the major conference, the chipmaking giant announced that Xiaomi, Vivo, Motorola, Oppo, Honor, and Nothing are working on bringing satellite communication technology on their future mobile devices. While the company did confirm that Android OEMs are working on adding satellite based communications like how Apple did with the iPhone 14 series, it is still unclear when the companies will be rolling out this feature for their future phones.

For those unaware, Qualcomm had previously announced the new Snapdragon Satellite technology that it has been working on in partnership with satellite service provider Iridium during the CES 2023 (Consumer Electronics Show) event last month. So, it is clear that smartphone from Xiaomi, Motorola, and the other brands will soon support two way texting and more in emergency situations. As per the official announcement, the Snapdragon Satellite will be available across upcoming RF modems and multiple models of 8 and 4 series of processors for smartphones.

According to Qualcomm vice president for product management, Francesco Grilli “By incorporating Snapdragon Satellite into next–generation devices, our partners will be able to offer satellite messaging capabilities thanks to a mature and commercially available global LEO constellation, which can allow subscribers around the world to communicate outdoors with emergency service providers, as well as family and friends”.

Huawei Mate 50 series teaser confirms support for Satellite Communication

Jeet — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 02:14:19 +0000

Huawei is gearing up to launch its next-generation Mate-series flagship smartphones in the form of the Huawei Mate 50 lineup, even though the company is pretty much out of the game when it comes to premium devices because of the US-imposed sanctions.

But that isn’t stopping the Chinese giant from offering unique and innovative features to its smartphones. In the latest teaser shared by Huawei, it has been confirmed that the Mate 50 series smartphones will have support for satellite communication.

In a teaser video shared by the company showing a satellite getting launched, Huawei says that the signal goes beyond the ground and the device is always connected for communication. This pretty much confirms that the upcoming premium phones from the company will come with support for satellite communication feature.

Based on the rumors and previous leaks, it is being said that the satellite communication feature in the Huawei Mate 50 series will provide an emergency messaging service supported by the Beidou system.

The development comes after Huawei was granted a patent for “Method and Device for Satellite Communication,” and the company has also applied for several other patents related to this technology.

Huawei isn’t the only company working on offering satellite communication feature on its smartphones. Apple has also been working on something similar, which was expected to make its debut with the upcoming iPhone 14. The feature, named “Emergency Message via Satellite,” will reportedly be integrated into the Messages application as a third option along with SMS and iMessage.

The Huawei Mate 50 series flagship smartphones are set to go official in the Chinese market tomorrow, i.e. on 6th September. The devices will also come with support for better photography and will be equipped with Huawei Imaging XMAGE. The smartphones are expected to come running the company’s own HarmonyOS 3.0 operating system.

Apple iPhone 14 may feature Satellite Connectivity for emergencies

Sean — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 08:05:51 +0000

A new rumor has just surfaced regarding the Apple iPhone 14 series. Apparently, the company’s latest generation of smartphones that will be launching later this year will come with satellite connectivity options for emergency scenarios.

Recently, we had even reported on the Cupertino based giant possibly working on a similar satellite feature for its Apple Watch. The primary reason for the inclusion of this system is to allow users to send messages or reach out to emergency services in cases of an actual emergency. This system will reportedly include an “Emergency Message via Contacts” for sending short messages in areas that do not have cellular signals.

In other words, it appears that the brand is looking to include this feature in its other products as well. Interestingly, the iPhone 13 series was also rumored to come with such technology as well, although, this was skipped on the 2021 iPhone. So, it is entirely possible that we won’t see this feature appear on the iPhone 14 lineup as well. Although, the latest news from Mark Gurman says otherwise.

Through satellite connectivity, users would be able to send text messages or SOS responses via a satellite network to report on accidents, similar to the one on the brand’s smartwatch. All in all, this will just be quite a bit helpful for Apple customers that find themselves stuck in certain worst case scenarios, and potentially even save lives.

Apple Watch to soon support Satellite Connectivity for SOS & Emergency Contacts

Sean — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 06:09:30 +0000

Apple is planning on rolling out new features for its smartwatch. The company will be bringing satellite connectivity features for its Apple Watch along with support for emergency texting and SOS response as well.

According to a Bloomberg report, the Cupertino based giant’s smart wearable will soon be able to offer these crucial emergency features directly from the wearer’s wrist. The satellite connectivity was first rumored to arrive in the iPhone 13 series, although, the brand skipped it on the lineup. Now, it is rumored to launch with the iPhone 14 series, which means that it will be capable of sending short messages over satellite networks without a carrier network.

To put things simply, the iPhone maker is bringing these features to help offer users connectivity options in cases of emergencies. This plan will have Apple include two parts, with the first being “Emergency Message via Contacts.” The feature would allow users to send short text messages in areas that do not have cellular signals. Notably, this new system would appear with gray bubbles inside of the Messages app.

Furthermore, the second part of the system will let users report a crisis. This includes a car, boat, or plane crash to the authorities. This feature would be capable of taking more specific information such as a person falling overboard or a ship sinking. It will even ask users if search and rescue services are required. Keep in mind that this feature is still not confirmed by Apple yet, so take it with a pinch of salt for now and stick around for more updates.

Huawei Mate 50 rumored to feature satellite connectivity support for SMS messaging

Jeet — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 04:51:11 +0000

Huawei has been a dominating player in the smartphone maker for years but that is no longer the case. Although the company has been struggling to get a foothold after getting sanctioned by the United States, it is still trying.

The Chinese tech giant is now gearing up to launch a new flagship smartphone, dubbed Huawei Mate 50. While some details about the device have already been leaked, the latest rumor is about a unique feature of the smartphone.

A Weibo user has tipped (via GizChina) that the upcoming Huawei Mate 50 smartphone will come with support for satellite connectivity when the cellular network isn’t available. The satellite connectivity will be used to communicate via short message service (SMS) in a situation where a cellular network isn’t an option.

For this, the company has reportedly opted for the Beidou Satellite System. It is being reported that because of this new feature addition, the launch of the upcoming flagship smartphone from Huawei has been delayed.

It makes sense for the company to add this unique feature to the Mate series devices given that the Huawei Mate lineup, the second flagship series of the Chinese giant, usually comes packed with the most advanced technology available.

The satellite communication feature proves that Huawei is still trying to innovate in the smartphone space and hasn’t given up on the mobile phone business despite being severely restricted by the United States sanctions. But do note that the satellite communication feature isn’t confirmed by Huawei and it currently looks like speculation.

The Huawei P50 series smartphones, which are usually launched in the first quarter of the year, have been delayed and are now expected to get launched this month. Because of this, the Mate 50 lineup is now expected to get launched in the first half of 2022.

Apple is also expected to add satellite communication support for the iPhones using which users can text first responders and report incidents such as plane crashes, sinking boats, fires, and more. The feature, which is likely to be called “Emergency Message via Satellite” would be integrated into the Messages app as a third option after SMS and iMessage and would be identified by a gray text bubble.