Samsung’s Galaxy S26 may follow Pixel with satellite texting and SOS

Andrew Romero | Jan 28 2026 - 9:27 am PT

As Galaxy S26 leaks start to pour in, a new certification indicates the new series is compatible with satellite calls/texts – a feature Google and Apple have utilized for some time.

According to the latest FCC certifications, the entire Galaxy S26 series has been listed with compatibility for several standards associated with satellite texting, calling, and SOS communications (via SamMobile). The listing noted all devices by their FCC ID, and alongside confirmation that each device will operate on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, each phone supports satellite protocols.

The confirmation means the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra will connect to Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). These protocols work together to weave in satellite connectivity where there is a lack of cellular coverage.

The Google Pixel 9 series was the first lineup from the company behind Android. It added satellite SOS and emergency texting to give users extra protection when away from general service. Apple has a similar protocol in place for the iPhone 14 and later.

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The source notes that Samsung is expected to utilize the NTN provider, Skylo. This is the same company that Google uses to provide coverage in the event of a disconnection from providers. It’s also worth noting that the satellite connection feature on the Galaxy S26 may be locked to certain regions, like the US.

We don’t know what this service would look like just yet, or if it will be a paid feature. FCC listings give the bare amount of information, but the mere presence of it is exciting to see.

This is one of a few changes coming to the Galaxy S26 series. Notably, Samsung is adding 25W wireless charging. The caveat may be that it isn’t full Qi2 compatibility, with no built-in magnet for accessories. On top of that, Samsung seems to be upgrading the base model to 256GB instead of 128GB – something Google has refused to do up to this point.