This iPhone feature is coming to flagship Android phones

In case there is no network, Qualcomm has announced that its new processors and modems will include a feature called Snapdragon Satellite to assist users in contacting relevant authorities in an emergency. The Iridium satellite network assists the chipmaker in accomplishing this. The business has stated that this feature will have additional use cases. Compared to Apple's Emergency SOS feature, this appears to be more effective.

There have been reports of people being saved thanks to this feature since Apple introduced its iPhone 14 series with exclusive satellite emergency messaging. Although the feature is quite helpful, non-iPhone users are unable to use it. But we were all aware that Android would get the feature eventually.

The good news is that Qualcomm is putting it into practice more effectively to give Android users a better experience and give Apple tough competition. Android phone owners will be able to send and receive messages even when there is no cell coverage, according to the chip manufacturer. In addition to being helpful in emergency situations, the feature will support SMS texting and other messaging programmes. The feature will be "recreation in remote, rural, and offshore locations," according to Qualcomm.

There won't be any free message exchanges available. There will probably be some service changes. The chipmaker stated that the price of the satellite-based messaging service and any related services " The cost of the satellite-based messaging service and dependent services will depend on OEMs and service providers and how they choose to offer the service."

Which smartphones will get this feature?

Devices with Qualcomm's top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC under the hood will support the new Satellite feature. The initial purpose of the Snapdragon Satellite feature will be to connect you to help in an emergency if you are in a remote area without mobile service. According to Qualcomm, "premium messaging" won't be available for a while and will cost extra. According to the information provided by the chipmaker, sending emergency texts may either be free or may incur a small fee. It is important to note that Apple has not yet made this available and that its SOS feature only allows you to send texts via satellite.

The feature's operation has also been described by the company. Garmin response is used by Snapdragon Satellite. According to Qualcomm, when you send an SOS, response coordinators immediately use the customer's Latitude and Longitude in their specialised mapping and response coordination software to decide which agency should be in charge of organising the rescue.