\n
\n<\/p>\n
Satellite-connected phones could account for nearly half of global shipments by 2030. <\/p>\n
According to Counterpoint Research\u2019s Smartphone Satellite Connection Report, the market today is largely driven by premium devices<\/b>, while limited compelling use cases continue to hold back mass adoption. <\/p>\n
Current satellite features enabled by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) Release 17 are focused on emergency SOS<\/b> and<\/b> basic messaging<\/b>. That is expected to change with new upcoming standards. 3GPP Release 18 is likely to accelerate adoption across premium smartphones from more brands, while Release 19 could play a bigger role in bringing satellite connectivity to mid-range devices.<\/p>\n
Apple currently leads the global satellite smartphone market with a 71.6% share<\/b>, followed by Samsung at 15.9% and Huawei at 6.1%. Apple first introduced satellite connectivity on the iPhone 14 series in 2022 through its partnership with Globalstar. On the Android side, Qualcomm has been a key enabler with its Snapdragon X80 and X85 modems.<\/p>\n
Counterpoint Research notes that future growth will depend on how effectively ecosystem partners address several challenges, including design and cost constraints, limited real-world use cases, regulatory hurdles, and the relative immaturity of satellite network infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Source: Counterpoint Research<\/p>\n<\/div>\n