The series Google Pixel 9 it will have a novelty that is not very visible but which should be evident in the experience of use, in everyday life. And the modem, one of the components that with Google’s new course has changed radically compared to the past. From the Pixel 6 onwards, in fact, Google abandoned its historic partner Qualcomm as regards the SoC and modems, trying to go it alone, designing its own components in-house thanks to Samsung’s manufacturing.
As far as the modem is concerned, however, Google, to simplify development and reduce costs, drew from the Samsung catalogue, and the Pixel 6’s Exynos modem proved to be one of the main weak points of the new project. The situation has gradually improved over the years and generations, but the turning point has never arrived and periodically some problems emerge that come from the modem. According to information gathered from colleagues at androidauthority.com the Pixel 9 series which will debut in the autumn could take an appreciable step forward.
Google does not seem inclined to design the modem in house, according to what filters from the corridors of Mountain View on the Pixel 9 there will once again be an Exynos modem but from the 5300 which was used in two generations, on the Pixel 7 and on the Pixel 8, we will turn the page by moving on toExynos 5400. And perhaps the most interesting aspect of all is that the new modem will support the satellite connectivity. Clearly the Exynos 5400 modem will also be used on the new generation Pixel Fold and on the next Tablet (codenamed Clementine) with 5G connectivity.
Thanks to a modem which will be able to attach satellites and an operating system, Android 15which will be capable of acting as a link between the user and the satellites, the Pixel 9 will be the “first” smartphones of satellite connectivity native on Android. According to colleagues, initially the functionality will be supported by T-Mobile with the collaboration of SpaceX (yes, Elon Musk’s company), others will join in the future.
The “satellite connectivity 1.0” of the Pixels will not allow you to route data calls through satellites but only messages, messages SMS. There will be a specific “Satellite Gateway” app that will simplify the dialogue with emergency services via a function called “Emergency SOS”. As with other implementations, such as that of Apple, the satellite emergency of the Pixel 9 and Android 15 will also ask a series of questions with predefined answers to frame the emergency, will allow you to notify your contacts if you wish and finally the emergency services . According to the rumor the requests they will be:
- what happened?
- everyone breathes?
- in total, how many people are in difficulty?
- Which statement best describes the situation?
- is something on fire?
- Are there weapons involved?
- what kind of vehicle?
Satellite connectivity will require a specific orientation of the smartphone to facilitate connection to the satellite system and colleagues have found traces in the app code about its presence on the next generation Pixel Fold.
