Pixel 10 Enables WhatsApp Satellite Calls: First Off-Grid Voice & Video Feature

Google’s newly unveiled Pixel 10 series has made history by becoming the first smartphones worldwide to facilitate WhatsApp voice and video calls via satellite, even in the absence of mobile networks or Wi-Fi. The game-changing feature is slated to launch on August 28, coinciding with the series’ market rollout.

Google Pixel offering Satellite connectivity enabling off grid conversations

Satellite connectivity on smartphones has been predominantly limited to emergency SOS alerts or location-sharing tasks until now. With the Pixel 10 series, Google is redefining how mainstream devices connect off-grid. The new feature empowers users stranded in remote terrains, or simply outside coverage zones, to receive WhatsApp calls directly via satellite. A satellite icon appears in the status bar during such calls, visually signalling the shift to non-terrestrial connectivity.

Availability, Restrictions, and Coverage

Google has confirmed that the satellite calling feature will launch through partnerships with select network carriers and may involve additional charges. The initial rollout will commence in the United States, with expansion to other regions, including India, expected subsequently, pending carrier collaboration and regulatory approval.

Beyond WhatsApp: Pixel 10 Generalised Satellite Expansion

This WhatsApp integration marks the latest in a series of satellite-oriented enhancements for the Pixel 10. Earlier announcements revealed new capabilities such as live location sharing via Google Maps and Find My Hub, as well as Satellite SOS for emergencies. Furthermore, Google’s Pixel Watch 4 LTE joins the family of satellite-connected devices by allowing users to contact emergency services through satellite, making it the first wearable to offer such functionality.

Competitive Edge in Satellite Mobility

Google’s move firmly positions the Pixel 10 ahead in the satellite connectivity arena. While Apple continues to restrict satellite use to SOS alerts only on iPhones, and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 supports limited satellite messaging, the Pixel 10 elevates the sector by enabling everyday voice and video calls on a widely used app, WhatsApp, through satellite.

Summing Up

• Launch Date: WhatsApp satellite calling goes live on August 28, 2025.

• Devices: Pixel 10 series (Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL).

• Functionality: Enables both voice and video WhatsApp calls via satellite, with on-screen satellite icon to denote connection status.

• Limitations: Available only through select carriers; additional fees may apply; support for WhatsApp text messaging via satellite is not confirmed.

• Geographic Rollout: Launching first in the US, with potential extension to India and other regions later.

• Security: WhatsApp calls via satellite retain end-to-end encryption, mirroring standard WhatsApp privacy protections.

Conclusion

With the Pixel 10 series, Google is pioneering a new era in mobile connectivity, one that reaches not only cities and towns, but also places where signal towers dare not tread. By enabling WhatsApp calls over satellite, this innovation transforms how users stay connected, whether trekking in distant wilderness or navigating signal deserts. As the August 28 launch date approaches, all eyes will be on how quickly this technology spreads beyond the US to empower users globally.

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