The Korean Minister of Science, Technology and Communications declares in an interview that he wants to offer a smartphone allowing satellite communication in 2024. We understand that it will be the Galaxy S24 and its derivatives.
Even though 4G coverage is almost total and 5G is developing, there are still areas with poor mobile network coverage around the world. To remedy this, one of the solutions is to allow the smartphone to communicate via satellite. This allows tocall or text without any cellular connection, which is particularly useful in a distress situation for example. The iPhone 14 already allows this, and we expect to see this feature on Google’s Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.
Samsung could well join its competitors on this point. In an interview with Yonhap News, Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science, Technology and Communications, said domestic smartphone brands “are planning to launch a standards-based service next year that enables the transmission and data reception between 5G mobile devices and satellites”. Clearly: Samsung (leader in Korea since the departure of LG) would offer satellite communication on the Galaxy S24 expected in early 2024.
Samsung wants to offer satellite connectivity on the Galaxy S24
The will of the Korean manufacturer is not a surprise. In February 2023, it already announced the establishment of 5G/satellite communication with a smartphone modem. To provide such functionality, the mobile processor must have the capacity. This is the case of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for example, who can communicate with satellites in low orbit. Samsung is reportedly planning to launch its Galaxy S24s with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or an Exynos 2400 chip depending on the market, American or European.
Having a smartphone capable of transmitting and receiving data via satellite is a significant plus, especially if you are inclined to go to areas with little or no coverage. Several stories of people saved by the system prove that it is not a gimmick, but a function at least useful, at best vital. Reserved for high-end smartphones, due to the obligation to have a state-of-the-art processor, we hope that it can quickly be democratized to one day equip our smartphones by default.