Via a press release, Samsung has now announced that it is expanding satellite communication to Galaxy smartphones worldwide. This feature allows your phone to stay connected even when there is no cellular signal or Wi-Fi (like in the middle of a desert or ocean).
In that press release, Samsung mentions that it is partnering with major cell phone carriers (like T-Mobile and Verizon) and satellite companies (like Starlink) to let Galaxy phones send messages and data via satellites. Now, some may ask, what is the use of it? Well, you can call for help or use text emergency services if you are stranded in a place with no signal. In some places, like Japan, it can even provide early earthquake and tsunami warnings.
For those who don’t know, on select Galaxy flagship and Galaxy A series smartphones, Samsung has been supporting satellite communication since 2025, which now extends to even the recently launched Galaxy S26 Series smartphones. Furthermore, older Galaxy flagships will be compatible with satellite communication, including those launched after the Galaxy S21, along with some Galaxy A series smartphones.
Talking about the rollout, it is going to be done in phases:
In North America, Samsung is working with T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T. Samsung has partnered with AT&T to support satellite communication features on Galaxy smartphones. T-Mobile supports satellite-based T911 (T-Satellite service, which allows users to send text messages to 911 via Starlink satellites), along with text and data services through its collaboration with Starlink, and this has been available on select Galaxy A and Galaxy S phones since 2025. Verizon offers emergency SOS (eSOS) and text services on supported Galaxy flagship models, including the Galaxy S25 Series and the newly launched Galaxy S26 Series.
In Europe, Samsung is collaborating with Virgin Media O2 in the United Kingdom to bring satellite connectivity to Galaxy S25 and S26 Series smartphones. Along with this, Samsung is also working with MasOrange in Spain, where joint trials are scheduled to begin in March, and is also collaborating with Vodafone to enable satellite communications across compatible Galaxy devices in the region.
In Japan, the company is partnering with KDDI, SoftBank, Docomo and Rakuten Mobile to expand satellite-based text, data and emergency alert services across compatible Galaxy devices. Satellite-based data, texting, and tsunami warning (ETWS) services have been available on Galaxy S22 (and newer) and select Galaxy A phones on KDDI’s network since 2025.
