Google Pixel 10 becomes first phone to make WhatsApp calls via satellite
Google announced Thursday that its new Pixel 10 series smartphones will become the first devices capable of making WhatsApp voice and video calls over satellite connectivity, marking a major expansion of emergency satellite features into everyday communication. The feature launches August 28, coinciding with the phones’ release date.
The announcement, made via Google’s official Twitter account, represents a partnership between the tech giant and Meta’s WhatsApp messaging platform to bring satellite calling to areas with no cellular coverage. This capability goes well beyond the emergency-only satellite messaging currently available on smartphones, transforming satellite connectivity from a safety net into a practical communication tool.
Technical Implementation and Limitations
The service comes with important caveats. According to the announcement’s fine print, satellite WhatsApp calling will be “limited to participating carriers and additional charges may apply”. Users will need to be outdoors with a clear view of the sky, and the service may experience delays compared to standard cellular networks.
Google Messages will likely retain exclusive access to satellite messaging functionality, with WhatsApp calls representing a separate data-enabled satellite capability
Breaking New Ground in Satellite Communication
According to Android Authority, Google shared a demonstration video showing a Pixel 10 device answering an incoming WhatsApp call with the satellite icon visible in the status bar. The feature will be available across the entire Pixel 10 lineup, including the base model, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold variants.
“Even T-Mobile, which has been praised for its T-Satellite service, only offers SMS and MMS functionality,” Android Police noted in its coverage. Apple’s iPhone 14 and newer models support satellite connectivity, but only for emergency SOS messages and basic texting through iMessage.
The development puts Google ahead of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series, which introduced satellite messaging earlier this year but remains limited to text communications through select carriers.
