Samsung is gearing up for a satellite launch on One UI 7
By ForGeeks Samsung is preparing to introduce satellite communication support in the new version of its One UI 7 shell. As a reminder, Apple introduced the Emergency SOS feature with satellite connectivity in the iPhone 14 series back in 2022. The feature allows you to send emergency messages or call emergency services in places with poor or no cellular coverage.
Android devices also have an Emergency SOS feature that works almost the same as on iOS, but can’t use satellites to send messages in areas with poor network coverage. That makes the iPhone 14 and newer more appealing to campers, hikers, and adventurers if they don’t use satellite phones or similar devices.
The iPhone 14 and newer is the only device that can’t use satellites to send messages in low-coverage areas.
At WWDC recently, Apple announced that in the latest version of iOS 18 (now in public beta), users will be able to send regular messages via satellite with full end-to-end encryption. Satellite communication for emergency messages could save lives in certain situations, though the feature is not yet available in the Android ecosystem. What is known is that Google may be working with T-Mobile to integrate satellite communications into Android 15, and the upcoming Pixel 9 may get an Exynos 5400 modem as part of the Tensor G4 chipset that supports satellite communications. The leaks also showed what the interface might look like when trying to connect to a satellite.
The leaks also showed what the interface might look like when trying to connect to a satellite.
Satellite emergency messages may be limited to Google Messages
Some Samsung apps have started hinting at upcoming support for satellite communications, and the feature is expected to be introduced with One UI 7 based on Android 15. Emergency messages via satellite will likely only be available through Google Messages. According to Android Authority, mentions of satellite support were found in Samsung Emergency SOS code version 15.5.00.14, Samsung Messages version 15.5.10.39 and Phone version 15.2.80.
Satellite support was found in the Samsung Emergency SOS code version 15.5.00.14, Samsung Messages version 15.5.10.39 and Phone version 15.2.80.
In Emergency SOS, it was found that users will be able to send emergency messages via satellite. «If you call emergency services while out of range or without a mobile network connection, we’ll connect you via satellite so you can send an emergency message».
We’ll connect you via satellite so you can send an emergency message.
The Phone app code says users will be able to send and receive messages in satellite mode, and «Emergency calls can be made if a mobile network is available nearby». Finally, the most interesting information was found in the Samsung Messages app. It indicates that Samsung users will be forced to use Google Messages for satellite messages, as Samsung Messages will not support this feature (at least initially). «Samsung Messages does not support satellite messaging. To send and receive messages via satellite, you’ll need to make Google Messages your default messaging app,»” the line of code reads.
The code says.
We’re expected to learn more about Android 15 at the upcoming Made By Google event, and in turn, that will give us more information on when to expect Samsung’s stable version of One UI 7 and the accompanying satellite support.
Some of this is expected to give us more information on when to expect a stable version of Samsung’s One UI 7 and accompanying satellite messaging support.
