MUMBAI - The biggest iPhone news in years isn’t unfolding inside Apple’s Cupertino labs but in the crowded lanes of Mumbai, where reactions range from wide-eyed excitement to sharp skepticism. From Lamington Road’s veteran mobile dealers to college students debating foldables in cafés, the city’s verdict is mixed: Apple’s bold redesigns might finally shake off years of sameness - but only if they can deliver practicality for India’s demanding users. It's been a long time coming, but the iPhone's design is finally getting a facelift. According to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman , Apple is on the cusp of an ambitious three-year plan to completely overhaul the look and feel of its flagship device. This radical roadmap kicks off this fall with the iPhone 17 Air, a new, ultra-slim model rumored to replace the Plus. Next year, Apple will finally enter the foldable market with the book-style iPhone Foldable, and the design evolution will culminate in 2027 with a radical, all...
Snartphone Google Pixel 10 Pro: WhatsApp Calls Satellite Support Confirmed: Next-Gen Communication Comin
New Delhi | August 20, 2025
By Michael B Norris, Investigative Tech Journalist | TrendingAlone
A Field Story That Explains It All
I remember trekking through Himachal Pradesh last year, when heavy rain cut off the only road back to the valley. My group had no mobile signal for hours.
We tried climbing ridges, waving our phones in the air, hoping for a single bar to send a message.
Nothing worked. That sense of being cut off - unable to tell family we were safe or call for help if things worsened - still lingers with me.
Now imagine if, in that same moment, I could have opened WhatsApp, tapped the call button, and reached someone instantly via satellite.
That’s exactly the promise Google is making with the Pixel 10 series: the world’s first smartphone to support WhatsApp voice calls over satellite networks.
This isn’t just another incremental upgrade. It’s a shift in how people might think about connectivity itself.
Beyond the shiny design or AI features, the Pixel 10 introduces a tool that could change how we stay in touch when the mobile grid fails.
The Big News: WhatsApp Over Satellite
Google officially confirmed that the Pixel 10 series will allow WhatsApp users to make voice calls over satellite connections, making it the first commercial smartphone to do so.
While Apple’s iPhones introduced Emergency SOS via satellite, and Huawei enabled basic satellite texting, Google’s integration goes further.
It ties satellite connectivity directly to the world’s most widely used communication app, with over 2 billion active users.
According to documentation filed with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and early hands-on demonstrations in Mountain View, the feature relies on partnerships with multiple satellite operators, including Globalstar and OneWeb.
The feature works by seamlessly switching between mobile networks and satellites when terrestrial coverage drops to zero.
For users, it means no need to learn a new app or emergency shortcut. You simply open WhatsApp and make a call as you normally would.
Key Specs: Google Pixel 10 Series (Expected)
Feature Pixel 10 Pixel 10 Pro Pixel 10 Ultra
Display 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz 6.7-inch LTPO OLED, 144Hz 6.9-inch LTPO OLED, 144Hz
Processor Google Tensor G5 Google Tensor G5 Google Tensor G5 Max
RAM/Storage 8GB + 128GB / 256GB 12GB + 256GB / 512GB 16GB + 1TB
OS Android 15 Android 15 Android 15
Connectivity 5G + Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 Same Same
Satellite Calling WhatsApp voice calls via Globalstar / OneWeb Yes Yes
Cameras Dual 50MP system Triple camera with periscope zoom Quad camera + advanced AI imaging
Battery 5,200 mAh 5,500 mAh 6,000 mAh
Charging 45W wired, 25W wireless 65W wired, 30W wireless 80W wired, 45W wireless
Why This Matters for Consumers
For everyday users, the breakthrough isn’t about clock speeds or megapixels. It’s about reliability of communication.
Hikers & Mountaineers: Remote treks where mobile towers vanish will no longer mean isolation.
Travelers: Crossing deserts or flying over rural areas could still allow contact.
Rural India: Many villages still face patchy coverage. For them, WhatsApp calls over satellite could be life-changing.
Journalists: Reporting from conflict zones or disaster-hit areas often requires satellite phones, which are bulky and costly. Pixel 10 could replace that need.
Sanjay Gupta, a rescue worker with the Himachal Pradesh Disaster Relief Force, told me during a recent call, “We lose hours trying to establish communication in landslide zones. If a normal smartphone like the Pixel 10 can call via satellite, it will save lives.”
The Expert View
To understand the implications, I spoke with telecom analyst Priya Ramesh, who has tracked India’s 5G rollout closely.
“Apple’s SOS is limited to emergency centers. Google’s move is broader because WhatsApp is universal. It means communication is no longer limited to emergencies but can extend to everyday connectivity. The challenge will be regulatory, because satellite bypasses telecom operators,” she explained.
From the disaster response side, Colonel James McAdams, who has worked on UN emergency missions, said: “In earthquakes or floods, terrestrial networks are usually the first to collapse. Having WhatsApp satellite calls baked into mainstream phones democratizes access to tools that were once military-grade.”
How It Compares With Apple and Huawei
Apple iPhones (Emergency SOS via satellite): Limited to sending text messages to emergency services. Region-locked, not available everywhere.
Huawei (Satellite Texting): Enables short messages over BeiDou satellite network, but only in China and select markets.
Google Pixel 10: Allows full WhatsApp voice calls, theoretically available wherever satellites cover, provided local regulations allow it.
In simple terms: Apple and Huawei gave users “lifelines.” Google is giving them an entire communication channel.
Privacy and Regulation
While the idea excites users, it also raises thorny questions. WhatsApp calls are end-to-end encrypted.
If these calls travel through satellites, regulators might struggle with lawful intercept - the ability for law enforcement to monitor communications when necessary.
Dr. Kavita Sharma, a researcher in digital privacy law, noted: “Encryption plus satellites creates jurisdictional puzzles. If a call originates in India, routes through a satellite over Africa, and terminates on a server in Europe, which country’s laws apply? Telecom regulators worldwide are not ready for this.”
In India, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is already examining rules for satellite internet providers. Adding encrypted voice calls via mainstream smartphones could intensify debates about national security versus consumer freedom.
The next big question: does this sideline telecom carriers?
Carriers traditionally own the infrastructure - towers, spectrum, billing. But if consumers can bypass them whenever there’s no signal, revenue streams may shrink.
Ramesh pointed out, “Carriers might still be involved as billing partners. But if Google negotiates directly with satellite firms, operators lose control. Expect lobbying and pushback.”
In India, where telcos like Jio and Airtel have invested billions into 5G, the rise of satellite calling could force them to rethink business models - possibly bundling satellite access into premium plans or demanding regulatory curbs.
Think about what this means in practice:
Floods in Assam: Villagers cut off from networks could still reach relief centers using WhatsApp calls.
Reporters in Gaza or Ukraine: Instead of carrying bulky satellite phones, they could rely on their Pixels.
Families in rural Bihar: No more climbing rooftops at night hoping for one bar of signal.
It is the normalization of satellite connectivity that makes this so powerful. What was once niche becomes mainstream.
Of course, there are hurdles:
Cost: Will satellite calls be free or premium? Google hasn’t clarified yet.
Battery Drain: Satellite communication consumes more power, raising concerns about real-world usability.
Coverage Limits: Not all regions will be supported at launch.
Regulatory Bans: Some governments may block or restrict the feature for national security reasons.
Without clarity on these, consumers should remain cautiously optimistic.
When I think back to that stranded moment in the mountains, the idea of making a WhatsApp call without a single tower nearby feels revolutionary.
Dr. Kavita Sharma, a researcher in digital privacy law, noted: “Encryption plus satellites creates jurisdictional puzzles. If a call originates in India, routes through a satellite over Africa, and terminates on a server in Europe, which country’s laws apply? Telecom regulators worldwide are not ready for this.”
In India, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is already examining rules for satellite internet providers. Adding encrypted voice calls via mainstream smartphones could intensify debates about national security versus consumer freedom.
The Telecom Industry Disruption
The next big question: does this sideline telecom carriers?
Carriers traditionally own the infrastructure - towers, spectrum, billing. But if consumers can bypass them whenever there’s no signal, revenue streams may shrink.
Ramesh pointed out, “Carriers might still be involved as billing partners. But if Google negotiates directly with satellite firms, operators lose control. Expect lobbying and pushback.”
In India, where telcos like Jio and Airtel have invested billions into 5G, the rise of satellite calling could force them to rethink business models - possibly bundling satellite access into premium plans or demanding regulatory curbs.
Beyond Specs: Real-World Scenarios
Think about what this means in practice:
Floods in Assam: Villagers cut off from networks could still reach relief centers using WhatsApp calls.
Reporters in Gaza or Ukraine: Instead of carrying bulky satellite phones, they could rely on their Pixels.
Families in rural Bihar: No more climbing rooftops at night hoping for one bar of signal.
It is the normalization of satellite connectivity that makes this so powerful. What was once niche becomes mainstream.
The Risks Ahead
Of course, there are hurdles:
Cost: Will satellite calls be free or premium? Google hasn’t clarified yet.
Battery Drain: Satellite communication consumes more power, raising concerns about real-world usability.
Coverage Limits: Not all regions will be supported at launch.
Regulatory Bans: Some governments may block or restrict the feature for national security reasons.
Without clarity on these, consumers should remain cautiously optimistic.
A Turning Point for Smartphones
When I think back to that stranded moment in the mountains, the idea of making a WhatsApp call without a single tower nearby feels revolutionary.
The Pixel 10 is not just another flagship - it represents a new chapter in communication.
Yes, Apple broke ground with SOS, and Huawei experimented with texting. But Google has taken the leap of merging the world’s biggest messaging app with satellite connectivity.
If regulators cooperate and the business model is fair, this could reshape how we think about staying connected.
Yes, Apple broke ground with SOS, and Huawei experimented with texting. But Google has taken the leap of merging the world’s biggest messaging app with satellite connectivity.
If regulators cooperate and the business model is fair, this could reshape how we think about staying connected.
The Pixel 10 isn’t just about higher refresh rates or faster processors. It’s about freedom from the grid.
And for millions - from villagers in India to travelers in the Andes - that freedom might matter more than any camera upgrade ever could.
Author: Michael B Norris aka swagnextTuber is an investigative tech journalist specializing in mobile networks, satellite communications, and emerging technologies. With over a decade of field reporting experience, he focuses on the intersection of technology, society, and policy.
And for millions - from villagers in India to travelers in the Andes - that freedom might matter more than any camera upgrade ever could.
Author: Michael B Norris aka swagnextTuber is an investigative tech journalist specializing in mobile networks, satellite communications, and emerging technologies. With over a decade of field reporting experience, he focuses on the intersection of technology, society, and policy.
Comments
Post a Comment