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After making an appearance in an Android update earlier this year, it looks like we have more information about Google’s upcoming Satellite communication feature for the Pixel 9.
Digging into the latest Android 15 beta 4, Android Authority spotted strings that referenced the new subscription-based satellite feature titled “Pixel Satellite SOS.”
“To use Satellite SOS, Google Messages must be your default SMS app. Satellite SOS is included at no charge for {two} years.” The text reads.
The string also hints that the feature could come to older Pixel phones, specifically saying “Your Pixel has been updated to support satellite communication.”
As Android Authority points out, the Pixel 9 will likely come with this feature pre-installed via Android 15, so the update could be a reference to older devices getting the feature through an update. Or, it’s a feature that will only come to the Pixel 9 sometime after launch. There is also a chance that the Pixel 9 is only Google handset that has the hardware to support the tool.
This isn’t the first time mentions of the Satellite SOS feature have surfaced. Earlier this year, Satellite SOS suddenly appeared on Pixel handsets in the safety and emergency settings sub-menu, but there was no way of activating it.
The details in the settings menu explained that when a user makes a call or text through satellite communication, a Google Maps location will be shared with emergency services. Alongside some details from the caller’s Google account such as their name, IMEI number, battery level, email address, emergency contact details and phone number. This is also mentioned in the Android 15 beta 4 strings.
Satellite SOS is Google’s answer to Apple’s emergency SOS tool on iPhone. Like the iPhone, the Pixel 9’s version will walk users through the process by asking what the nature of the emergency is and giving them a choice of services to contact.
Also like Apple’s version, the service could be free for two years according to the above reference in the beta. That would match up with Apple’s original policy, which was later extended by another year. It’s not clear what happens after those two years, but the concept of promising two or three years of software services, for free, is a new trend among smartphone makers. Samsung has repeatedly made it clear that its suite of Galaxy AI tools that can be found on several of its handsets is “free until 2025” while staying quiet on what happens after that trial period runs out.