Which phones work with satellites?
Updated October 10, 2026
Every phone family, carrier satellite service and price, in one place — verified against carrier and manufacturer pages.
Phones
Apple iPhone
- Models
- iPhone 14 / 15 / 16 / 16e / 17 / 17e / Air / 18 Pro / 18 Pro Max
- Built in
- Emergency SOS, two-way Messages via satellite, Find My, Roadside Assistance — free, any carrier (Globalstar)
- With a carrier
- T-Satellite texting + app data ($10/mo, works from iPhone 13)
iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max launched Sept 9, 2026 (ships Sept 18) with the same satellite feature set as prior models — no C2/NR-NTN satellite upgrade this cycle despite pre-launch rumors. Apple services move to Amazon Leo after the Globalstar deal closes (2027).
Google Pixel
- Models
- Pixel 9 series (except 9a), all Pixel 10 models
- Built in
- Satellite SOS with automatic location sharing — free (Skylo)
- With a carrier
- Free texting on Verizon; texting + app data via T-Satellite
Pixel Watch 4: first smartwatch with two-way satellite emergency messaging.
Samsung Galaxy
- Models
- S25 series, S26 / S26+ / S26 Ultra, Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7
- Built in
- Emergency SOS + satellite texting — free on Verizon (Skylo); activation is carrier-dependent by market
- With a carrier
- Older Galaxy phones (S21 and later): texting + app data via T-Satellite
Samsung confirmed satellite support at the S26 launch (Feb 2026) for US, Europe, and Japan, market-dependent.
Motorola
- Models
- Razr, Edge, Moto G (2024 and later)
- Built in
- None native
- With a carrier
- Texting + app data via T-Satellite
Motorola also sells a Skylo-based Bluetooth satellite accessory (Defy line) that adds satellite messaging to any phone.
T-Mobile Revvl
- Models
- Revvl 8 / 8 Pro
- Built in
- None native
- With a carrier
- Texting + app data via T-Satellite
The budget entry point to satellite messaging.
Satellite services
T-Satellite (T-Mobile) live
- Network
- Starlink direct-to-cell — 650+ satellites
- What it does
- Two-way texting · Picture messages (MMS) · App data (approved apps) · Voice (beta) · Free 911 texting for all
- Price
- Free on Experience Beyond plan; $10/mo add-on otherwise (a limited-time intro price — T-Mobile has said it will rise to ~$15) — including for Verizon and AT&T customers via eSIM. Satellite Text-to-911 is free on any compatible phone, any carrier.
- Phones
- 60+ devices: iPhone 13 and later, Galaxy S21 and later, Pixel 9 and later, Motorola 2024+, Revvl 8
- Where
- US nationwide (Starlink partner carriers cover AU, NZ, CA, JP, CH separately)
The most mature consumer satellite service in the US. Texting live since July 2025, satellite data for approved apps (WhatsApp including voice/video chat, Google Maps, AllTrails, AccuWeather, X, CalTopo, onX) since October 2025, voice calling in expanding beta. Works on any modern LTE phone because Starlink reuses T-Mobile’s terrestrial spectrum from orbit (the FCC’s "Supplemental Coverage from Space" framework).
Apple satellite features live
- Network
- Globalstar LEO (transitioning to Amazon Leo after 2027)
- What it does
- Emergency SOS · Messages via satellite · Find My · Roadside Assistance
- Price
- Free so far — Apple extended the free window again on September 9, 2026 for iPhone 14/15/16 owners activated before that date, continuing a pattern of yearly extensions since the feature launched
- Phones
- iPhone 14 and later, including the new iPhone 18 Pro / iPhone 18 Pro Max (launched Sept 9, 2026, ships Sept 18) — built into iOS, works on any carrier
- Where
- 20 countries including US, Canada, most of Western Europe, Australia, NZ, Japan, Mexico (Andorra and Iceland added July 2026)
The pioneer — Emergency SOS via satellite launched 2022, full two-way Messages via satellite in 2024. iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max shipped with the same satellite feature set as prior models — the widely rumored C2 modem with 5G NR-NTN support, Maps via satellite, and photos in satellite Messages were not part of the September 2026 launch and remain unconfirmed. Amazon is acquiring Globalstar ($11.6B, closing 2027); Apple’s satellite services will transition to the Amazon Leo network with a public roadmap of 5G satellite connectivity, photos in Messages, and Apple Maps via satellite.
Verizon satellite texting live
- Network
- Skylo (GEO relay) — AST SpaceMobile planned for the future
- What it does
- Emergency SOS · Two-way texting to any number
- Price
- Free on eligible phones
- Phones
- Galaxy S25/S26 series, Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, Pixel 9 and 10 series
- Where
- US
Free two-way satellite texting on eligible Android flagships — no add-on required. Uses Skylo’s GEO-relay network over dedicated NTN spectrum (3GPP band n255), which is why only phones with NTN modem support qualify.
Google Pixel Satellite SOS live
- Network
- Skylo (GEO relay)
- What it does
- Emergency SOS · Automatic location sharing
- Price
- Free
- Phones
- Pixel 9 series (except 9a) and all Pixel 10 models; Pixel Watch 4 is the first smartwatch with two-way satellite emergency messaging (watch SOS is continental-US-only for now)
- Where
- US, Canada, Europe, Australia
SOS is free and carrier-independent. For general satellite texting, Pixel owners pair it with Verizon (free) or T-Satellite ($10/mo).
AST SpaceMobile (AT&T + Verizon) beta
- Network
- AST SpaceMobile BlueBirds — 13 in orbit of 248 authorized
- What it does
- Voice + video calling (demoed) · Full data (designed) · Texting + RCS (demoed)
- Price
- Not yet announced
- Phones
- Any modern phone — AST reuses AT&T/Verizon/FirstNet terrestrial spectrum, no special hardware needed
- Where
- US first; Europe network-integration testing underway with Vodafone, Orange, Telefónica, Deutsche Telekom, and Vodafone Ukraine across the UK, Ireland, Romania, France, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and Ukraine (as of Aug 2026) — Vodafone Spain’s commercial launch has slipped to 2027
The most ambitious architecture: school-bus-sized satellites with 223 m² antennas delivering cellular broadband to unmodified phones. FCC granted full commercial authorization April 2026 (248 satellites). BlueBirds 11-13 (launched Aug 5, 2026) carry communications arrays over 3x larger than the first Block 1 satellites. Beta service with AT&T and Verizon is targeted for later 2026 with non-continuous coverage — authorized but not yet consumer-live. AT&T teases "limited voice connectivity" late 2026.
Starlink direct-to-cell — international carriers live
- Network
- Starlink D2C
- What it does
- Two-way texting · App data (varies by carrier)
- Price
- Typically included on eligible plans
- Phones
- Compatible-device lists similar to T-Mobile’s
- Where
- One NZ (world’s first, 2024), Telstra Australia (texting + satellite-optimized apps since July 2026), Rogers Canada, KDDI Japan (au Starlink Direct), Salt Switzerland, Airtel Congo/DRC (Africa’s first, commercially live since Aug 14, 2026, with the remaining 13 Airtel Africa markets rolling out through 2026)
One NZ carried over 10 million satellite messages in its first year. Optus (Australia) has announced service behind Telstra. Orange France runs satellite SMS on Skylo instead — first in Europe, live December 2025.
Coming next
Late 2026AST SpaceMobile consumer beta (AT&T + Verizon)
Non-continuous coverage at first; AT&T teases limited voice. The constellation stands at 13 of 248 authorized satellites, with the newest BlueBirds (11-13, launched Aug 2026) carrying communications arrays over 3x larger than the first Block 1 satellites for more capacity.
Launching nowStarlink V3 — "full 5G from space"
Terabit-class satellites riding Starship — first V3 launch flew July 2026, with launches continuing through 2027. SpaceX frames V3 direct-to-cell as full 5G data service, adding ~60 Tbps of capacity per launch.
2027Amazon-Globalstar acquisition expected to close
Apple’s satellite backbone migrates to Amazon Leo. Public roadmap: 5G via satellite, photos in Messages, Apple Maps via satellite, and a third-party developer API — none of which shipped with the September 2026 iPhone 18 Pro launch.
No dateAT&T + T-Mobile + Verizon joint D2D venture
Announced May 2026: the big three US carriers pool spectrum and IP for a unified satellite platform and common industry specs, while each keeps its existing satellite partners. Definitive agreements are still pending.
Frequently asked questions
Does satellite texting cost extra?
Emergency SOS is free on every platform — Apple, Pixel, Verizon, and T-Mobile’s satellite Text-to-911 is free even for non-customers with a compatible phone. Regular two-way texting: free on iPhone 14+ (Apple extended its free window again on September 9, 2026 for iPhone 14/15/16 owners activated before that date, continuing a pattern of yearly extensions) and on Verizon’s eligible Android flagships; $10/month intro price on T-Mobile unless you’re on a premium plan.
Does it work indoors?
No. Every current service needs a direct view of the sky — outdoors, away from heavy tree cover, canyons, or overhangs. Skylo and Globalstar services ask you to point the phone toward the satellite; Starlink connects more passively but still needs open sky.
How fast are satellite messages?
Slower than normal texting — expect seconds to a minute or more per message depending on satellite visibility. Treat it as resilient messaging, not real-time chat. Voice and app data (where available) also run at reduced quality compared to terrestrial coverage.
What’s the difference between Emergency SOS and satellite texting?
SOS routes a structured emergency questionnaire and your location to trained relay centers — it’s free and prioritized. Satellite texting is ordinary SMS/iMessage to anyone. Many phones support the free SOS tier but need a carrier service for general texting.
Why does my friend’s cheaper phone work on Starlink but my flagship needed a specific model for Verizon?
Two different architectures. Starlink and AST reuse the carrier’s normal terrestrial spectrum from orbit (the FCC’s "Supplemental Coverage from Space" rules), so any modern LTE phone works. Skylo and Globalstar use dedicated satellite spectrum (3GPP NTN bands like n255), which requires specific modem and antenna support in the phone.
Is this the same as Starlink home internet?
No. Starlink broadband uses a dish (Standard/Mini/Performance terminals) and delivers full internet service. Direct-to-cell uses different satellites with giant antennas that talk to your phone’s tiny antenna — which is why it started with texting and is only now growing into voice and app data.
How it works under the hood: Direct-to-Device explained.