Samsung might be the next smartphone manufacturer to offer satellite connectivity for emergencies. It won't be the first OEM to do so, as Huawei and Apple already offer this feature on their latest devices, but Samsung is reportedly planning to join in on the party.
The rumor doesn't specify which Samsung device will be the first to benefit from SOS satellite connectivity or whether or not the Galaxy S23 series will jump on the bandwagon early next year. However, it's worth noting that Google plans to add satellite connection support to its mobile operating system with the launch of Android 14.
Will Samsung wait for Google to take the initiative?
Huawei and Apple have added emergency satellite connectivity to their latest smartphones via dedicated hardware. Samsung might do the same, but time will tell. It is worth noting that carriers like T-Mobile are working on bringing satellite connectivity through Starlink's network to existing devices that don't have dedicated hardware. However, this has more to do with expanding coverage for customers in remote areas rather than offering an emergency service unbound by carrier networks. Then again, these concepts are based on similar technologies and shouldn't be mutually exclusive.
It remains to be seen if Samsung will offer satellite connectivity before Google releases support for the feature with Android 14. The company might not want to fall too far behind Huawei and Apple and may try to devise its own hardware and/or software solution before Google releases its next major Android OS upgrade. We'll keep you posted as soon as more details emerge.
The Galaxy S23 series is expected to hit the market early next year, and we're bound to find out more about whether or not it offers satellite connectivity in the coming weeks and months.
