There was a lot of buzz about Samsung using smartphone-to-satellite technology in the Galaxy S23, just like Apple did with the iPhone 14. But, as it turns out, that didn’t happen. However, Samsung just unveiled their new standardized 5G NTN modem that enables two-way communication between smartphones and satellites.
Now, this technology will allow users to send and receive calls, text messages and data without needing a cellular network. And get this, it will be integrated into Samsung’s future Exynos chips! The goal is to help people in remote areas like mountains and deserts communicate with others in critical situations. But that’s not all, this 5G NTN technology can even transmit high-definition photos and videos in addition to texts and calls.
Samsung VP Min Goo Kim said that the tech will pave the way for hybrid terrestrial-NTN networks “in preparation for the arrival of 6G.” And this is all made possible because 5G NTN conforms to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP Release 17) standards, meaning it works with traditional communication services from chip manufacturers, smartphone makers, and telecoms.
Now, at CES 2023, Qualcomm introduced Snapdragon Satellite, which allows smartphones to send messages when there’s no cellular signal available. And since Samsung’s Galaxy S23 has both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and X70 modem system, it was thought that the device would offer satellite communication technology like Apple’s iPhone 14. But Samsung mobile experience VP TM Roh said that it wasn’t the right moment, as satellite functionality is still pretty limited.
“When there is the right timing, infrastructure, and the technology is ready, then of course for Samsung Galaxy, for our mobile division, we would also actively consider adopting this feature as well,” Roh told CNET in an interview.
