Last year, it was rumored that Samsung might equip the Galaxy S23 with iPhone-like satellite connectivity for emergency situations. However, the Galaxy S23 series lacks this feature, and the head of Samsung's smartphone division said the two-way satellite connectivity ecosystem is not mature enough.
Samsung was rumored to bring two-way satellite connectivity with the Galaxy S24 series, and screenshots of One UI 6.1 hinted at the feature. Hence, it was expected that the company's upcoming flagship phone will definitely have satellite connectivity. However, it looks like the South Korean company will skip this feature once again.
The Galaxy S24 may lack two-way satellite connectivity for emergency situations
A new one A report by ETNews Samsung claims to be testing the Galaxy S24 with three network operators in South Korea – KT, LG Uplus and SK Telecom – for two weeks before the official announcement. Mobile carriers test whether the Galaxy S24 Ultra works on their cellular networks. Samsung presented them with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, packaged in a lunchbox shape to keep its appearance under wraps, a common practice among smartphone makers ahead of launch. There appears to be no mention of a two-way satellite connection on the phone, which Samsung may have opted out of using for unknown reasons.
This feature should be used in emergencies and situations where there is no cellular network reception. It uses the L band frequency band to send a rescue notification, which is usually sent to the emergency response team in the area (if available). This feature was first introduced in the iPhone 14 series launched last year. Huawei has brought a similar feature in some of its flagship phones, but no other Android brand has used the feature in their flagship phones. Apparently, Samsung doesn't feel the need to rush this feature.
While Apple uses a one-way system to send distress signals to relevant authorities, Samsung is said to be working on a two-way system where users can send and receive messages when a mobile phone is stuck without a cellular network. Industry insiders claim that Samsung's two-way satellite connection will be used in the Galaxy S25 series, which is expected to be an epic phone. Samsung has developed its own two-way satellite connection feature, and it may be featured on the Exynos 2400, but it may not be used on the Galaxy S24.
