Credit: Qualcomm
- Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Satellite feature was scheduled to launch in H2 2023, but the partnership behind the technology has been terminated due to lack of adoption.
- Qualcomm has shifted focus to a standards-based solution, while Iridium can now re-engage with smartphone OEMs and others.
- This leaves the room open for seeing satellite connectivity features on Android in 2024.
Apple brought smartphone satellite connectivity to the limelight with the launch of the iPhone 14. In case of an emergency in supported regions, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series can connect to a low-orbit satellite and send an SOS message, even when there is no cell signal on the phone. Android flagships don’t want to be left behind, of course, and so came along Snapdragon Satellite. But it seems that we Android fans have to wait a bit longer, as the partnership behind Snapdragon Satellite has been terminated.
As reported by CNBC, Qualcomm has ended its partnership with Iridium, the satellite communications company.