Apple iPhones are famous for their exclusive features, including the satellite connectivity feature iPhone. But now, this feature will also be available on Android phones. Qualcomm has announced that its new processors and modems will come with a feature called Snapdragon Satellite, which will help people contact relevant authorities in an emergency when there is no network.
The chipmaker will achieve this with the help of the Iridium satellite network. The company has confirmed that this feature can also be used in other cases. It is said that it will be more powerful than Apple’s Emergency SOS feature.
This Feature Helped Many People In Emergency
After Apple launched its iPhone 14 Series with exclusive satellite emergency messaging, reports of people being saved by the feature started surfacing. This feature is quite useful, but non-iPhone users cannot take advantage of this feature. However, we all knew that the feature would come to Android sooner or later.
Android’s Feature Will Be Better Than Apple
The good thing is that Qualcomm is implementing it better to give a better experience to Android users and give tough competition to Apple. The chip maker has confirmed that Android phone users can send and receive text messages even in areas with no cell coverage. This feature will not only be helpful in emergency cases but will also support SMS texting and other messaging applications. Qualcomm has confirmed that the feature will come in handy in “remote, rural and offshore locations”.
This Facility Will Not Be Free!
People will not be allowed to exchange messages for free. There is a possibility of some change in the service. “The cost of Satellite-Based Message Service and Dependent Service will depend on the OEM and service providers and how they offer the service,” the chip maker said.
Which Smartphones Will Get The Facility
The new Satellite feature will be available on devices with Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset under the hood. Initially, the Snapdragon Satellite feature will be limited to use in emergencies so that you can contact someone for help in a remote area without mobile service.
Qualcomm says that “premium messaging” will come later, and people will have to pay extra. Depending on the details provided by the chipmaker, emergency texting could either be free or cost a small amount. It is worth noting that this is not something Apple has introduced yet, and it only lets you send texts via satellite using its SOS feature.
