Android satellite connectivity: iPhone-like emergency SOS in Android soon as Qualcomm unveils tech

Qualcomm announced on its official blog that it has collaborated with Iridium and Garmin to launch the Snapdragon Satellite. This feature will use the phone’s GPS and satellite communication to enable two-way texting in rural or remote locations. According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon Satellite emergency SOS feature will also be available on select Android devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen2 SoC.

Qualcomm Snapdragon Satellite technology

Qualcomm showcased the Snapdragon satellite emergency SMS technology, demonstrating how you can send and receive SMS messages with your contacts while also alerting emergency services in areas where cell service is unavailable. For this to work, you must be in a location with a clear sky and align your phone towards the satellite, just like the iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS feature.

Once the connection gets established successfully, you can send and receive SMS messages. You can send 160-character customised messages to a preset list of contacts. Qualcomm stated that devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC released in the first half would not have this feature because they lack the necessary hardware. Devices sold in the 2022 H2, however, will have it.