Qualcomm to bring this ’emergency’ iPhone feature to Android phones – Times of India

One of the headline acts of the iPhone 14 series from Apple was the Emergency SOS feature. The feature — with the help of satellite connectivity — can send messages from an iPhone when a person is in a remote location where there is no cellular network. It was only a matter of time before a similar feature arrived on Android phones.
At CES 2023, Qualcomm revealed Snapdragon Satellite — what it calls the “world’s first satellite-based two-way capable messaging solution for premium smartphones.”

How will Snapdragon Satellite work?

Qualcomm explained that it will be powered by Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF Systems and supported by Iridium operated satellite constellation. With Snapdragon Satellite, Android phone makers will be able to provide connectivity to users almost anywhere. It works on Iridium’s weather-resilient L-band spectrum for uplink and downlink.

When will the feature be made available?

Qualcomm said that emergency messaging on Snapdragon Satellite is planned to be available on next-generation smartphones, launched in select regions starting in the second half of 2023. It’s not clear what regions will get the feature as of now. Do keep in mind that the feature will work only on phones that are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. So it’s clear that it is intended to run on high-end, powerful Android phones only. Apple’s Emergency SOS feature is also available on iPhone 14 series but both on A16 Bionic and A15 Bionic processors.

Will Snapdragon Satellite work on other devices apart from cellphones?

Yes, it certainly will. Qualcomm said that Snapdragon Satellite can be expanded to other devices, including laptops, tablets, vehicles and IoT. “As the Snapdragon Satellite ecosystem grows, OEMs and app developers can differentiate and offer unique branded services taking advantage of satellite connectivity,” said Qualcomm.