In a surprising move for the mobile industry, Qualcomm and Iridium have announced the end of their partnership that resulted in the development of Snapdragon Satellite. Introduced in January of this year, Snapdragon Satellite aimed to provide Android manufacturers with a solution to match the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature offered by Apple's iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models. However, despite successful technical development and demonstrations, Snapdragon Satellite failed to generate any business, leading to its discontinuation.

The Emergency SOS via Satellite feature, first introduced by Huawei for its Mate 50 series, enables users to report emergencies in areas with no cellular connectivity. The feature guides users through positioning their device to connect with a satellite, and emergency services are then alerted via text message. This innovative feature has already been credited with saving lives.

While the decision to end the partnership between Qualcomm and Iridium is disappointing, Iridium CEO Matt Desch remains optimistic about the future of satellite connectivity in consumer devices. He noted that many mobile network operators (MNOs) and device manufacturers, including Apple, have plans to expand coverage and introduce new satellite-based features. Desch emphasized the importance of user experience in this emerging market and highlighted Iridium's reliable global capability for mobile users.

Qualcomm also commented on the situation, acknowledging that Android manufacturers have shown a preference for standards-based solutions for smartphone-to-satellite connectivity. The company stated its intention to continue collaborating with Iridium on standards-based solutions while discontinuing efforts on the proprietary Snapdragon Satellite solution.

The discontinuation of Snapdragon Satellite raises questions about Samsung's plans for emergency satellite connectivity. During the recent 2023 Semiconductor Expo (SEDEX) keynote, John Yong-In Park, head of Samsung Electronics SLSI Business Division, announced that 2024 Samsung Galaxy phones would offer satellite connectivity. Although specific models were not mentioned, it was speculated that the Galaxy S24 line could be the first to feature this capability.

In the Android sphere, chipmaker MediaTek unveiled its MT6825 chipset in February of this year. This chipset supports satellite connectivity through Bullitt's Satellite Connect platform, allowing Android users to engage in two-way satellite messaging, location sharing, and emergency SOS. Additionally, T-Mobile previously announced a partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink to provide satellite connectivity for areas without cellular coverage.

As Android manufacturers pivot towards standards-based solutions, the future of emergency satellite connectivity in Android handsets remains uncertain. Huawei's successful implementation of satellite connectivity, which includes the ability to make satellite calls in their Mate 60 line, serves as a reminder of the competition in this space. With increased focus on global coverage and user experience, industry players are working towards delivering reliable and innovative solutions for mobile users.

In conclusion, Qualcomm's partnership with Iridium for Snapdragon Satellite has come to an end due to its inability to attract Android manufacturers. The discontinuation of Snapdragon Satellite has Android manufacturers shifting their focus towards standards-based solutions for emergency satellite connectivity. As the industry evolves, the race to provide reliable and comprehensive satellite connectivity features in consumer devices continues to progress.