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Google unveiled the Pixel 10 series final week, however seemingly forgot to announce a key characteristic that is not obtainable on some other gadget. The Pixel 10 telephones will support WhatsApp audio and video calls over satellite tv for pc, Google confirmed on Friday by way of X. No different Android cellphone or iPhone mannequin helps calls over a satellite tv for pc information connection.
Whereas shocking, Google’s announcement is not solely sudden. Google made different satellite tv for pc communications bulletins final week, together with one other attention-grabbing first. The Pixel Watch 4, introduced in the course of the Made by Google occasion on Wednesday, is the world’s first smartwatch to support two-way satellite communications.
#Pixel10 has you coated on and off the grid 📍 Pixel units would be the first to supply voice and video calls on @WhatsApp over a satellite tv for pc community beginning 8/28¹ 🌍 pic.twitter.com/6yDSDMskkK
— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) August 22, 2025
Additionally, Google satellite tv for pc providers supplier Skylo introduced on Wednesday that it will energy satellite experiences on the Pixel 10, together with location-sharing by way of satellite tv for pc in Google Maps and the Discover Hub. Satellite tv for pc SOS and messaging are additionally listed within the announcement, they usually’re options that make sense for units packing satellite tv for pc chips. Nonetheless, there was no point out of assist for WhatsApp calls of any kind.
How will WhatsApp satellite tv for pc calls work on the Pixel 10?
Google mentioned in its X announcement seen above that the satellite-powered WhatsApp voice and video calls might be obtainable on Pixel 10 telephones beginning August 28. That is when the Pixel 10 hits shops, with preorders transport to consumers. Nonetheless, Google did not reveal further particulars in regards to the characteristic.
Google did place the next footnote in a video demonstrating the characteristic: “Restrictions, phrases and situations apply. Service is proscribed to collaborating carriers and extra prices might apply. Solely on appropriate units in most outside areas the place you possibly can see the sky. Satellite tv for pc service, together with textual content to 911, could also be delayed, restricted, or unavailable.”
The video reveals a Pixel 10 person accepting a WhatsApp name over satellite tv for pc connectivity (discover the satellite tv for pc emblem on the prime of the cellphone). However the clip would not point out what provider will provide the performance, or how a lot it will value. WhatsApp calls eat web information. Add video assist and you may want much more information allowance to make that occur. Information over satellite tv for pc ought to be extra pricey than exchanging location info, messages, and SOS info.
The flexibility to position WhatsApp calls over satellite tv for pc might be life-saving. It is a characteristic individuals who journey to distant places, or who’re close to catastrophic occasions like wildfires and extreme storms, can reap the benefits of. However the prices concerned with utilizing the options are nonetheless a secret.
What in regards to the competitors?
Earlier this summer season, T-Cellular rolled out T-Satellite tv for pc nationwide, a service priced at $10/month. Final week, T-Mobile announced that T-Satellite tv for pc information assist might be obtainable on the Pixel 10 by way of Starlink connectivity. The provider did not point out WhatsApp within the announcement, nevertheless it did say that T-Satellite tv for pc prospects will be capable of use information for all smartphone apps that want it.
The characteristic ought to launch on October 1 for many telephones, however some units will get it earlier. T-Cellular talked about that Android 16 and iOS 26 might be out earlier than that deadline, and a few units will assist T-Satellite tv for pc with Starlink information earlier than October 1. The Pixel 10 launches this month with Android 16 preloaded. T-Satellite tv for pc with Starlink is perhaps how some Pixel 10 units will get assist for WhatsApp calls.
T-Cellular’s teaser signifies different telephones, together with iPhones, will assist information over satellite tv for pc quickly. The iPhone 17 collection will launch subsequent month operating iOS 26 out of the field. Apple kickstarted satellite tv for pc connectivity in iPhones in 2022. The iPhone 14 Professional fashions had been the primary to supply SOS satellite tv for pc providers. Location sharing was additionally obtainable to customers. Patrons acquired two years of free entry for the characteristic, which Apple then prolonged. Apple introduced assist for satellite tv for pc messaging on iPhone by way of iOS 18 final 12 months. All iPhone fashions launched for the reason that iPhone 14 collection additionally assist Roadside Help over satellite tv for pc.
The Galaxy S25 collection launched in early 2025 helps satellite tv for pc communication for emergencies. It additionally helps texting on Verizon. However Samsung’s telephones don’t assist calls of any variety over satellite tv for pc.