According to SamMobile, the development was first reported by ETNews, which claimed that Samsung was working with the satellite communications company Iridium Communications to bring satellite connectivity to its high-end devices in the upcoming Galaxy S23 series.
The assumption is that the move is an attempt to keep pace with Apple, whose recently-launched iPhone 14 is able to connect to low-earth orbit satellites for emergency communication – though at present the feature is only enabled in Canada and the US.
Apple has been working with Global Star to bring satellite connectivity to the iPhone 14. Huawei is reportedly working with Beidou satellites to bring the same feature to the Mate 50 Pro series.
Meanwhile, rugged smartphone maker Bullitt has confirmed that it is working with the Taiwanese semiconductor company MediaTek to develop satellite messaging on Bullit smartphones released in early 2023.
Bullitt, which produces a range of rugged devices for brands including CAT and Motorola, said that this is the first device to use MediaTek's 3GPP NTN (non-terrestrial network) chipset and will include a free-of-charge satellite SOS messaging for the first year, as well as access to messaging via satellite, Pocket-Lint reported.