• Driven by premium devices from OEMs such as Apple, Samsung, Google and Huawei, satellite connectivity will reach 46% of the smartphones shipped globally in 2030.
• Proprietary solutions will drive the market in the near term as 3GPP NTN faces challenges around ecosystem readiness.
• The lack of killer use cases is limiting the growth of the 3GPP Release 17-based satellite smartphone market. Release 19 will likely enable broader mid-tier adoption.
• North America leads in global adoption, driven by early investment from telecom operators, satellite operators and smartphone OEMs.
• Qualcomm leads among satellite Android chipset vendors, while MediaTek, Samsung, Google and HiSilicon are increasing competition and accelerating mass adoption.              

Satellite connectivity in smartphones is entering a critical growth phase, with NTN-capable devices projected to account for 46% of global smartphone shipments by 2030, according to Counterpoint Research’s latest Smartphone Satellite Connection Report. 

Proprietary solutions will drive the market in the near term as 3GPP NTN faces challenges around chipset readiness, operator certification and service maturity.

Apple was the first mainstream smartphone brand to offer satellite connectivity by partnering with Globalstar for the iPhone 14 in 2022.

The recent acquisition of Globalstar by Amazon provides immediate scale and opens up a new revenue stream for Amazon around connectivity-as-a-service.

Huawei was the second player to bring satellite connectivity to smartphones in 2023, and now more than 10 brands are offering it in smartphones.

Commenting on the smartphone OEM dynamics, Soumen Mandal, principal analyst said,

“Apple remains the leading smartphone OEM in terms of NTN-capable smartphone shipments, while Samsung leads the Android ecosystem. Similar to Apple, Huawei and Google follow the proprietary NTN approach. Other Android players, including Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, HONOR and vivo, have aligned with 3GPP NTN to enable broader scalability and interoperability.”

The satellite smartphone market is mostly driven by the premium segment, but the lack of killer use cases is limiting mass adoption. 3GPP Release 17-based use cases are limited to SOS and messaging. While 3GPP Release 18 will help further adoption across brands in the premium segment, mass adoption in the mid-price segment is expected only with Release 19.

Commenting on the satellite smartphone SoC market competitive landscape, Shivani Parashar, senior analyst said,

“Qualcomm has been at the forefront among Android chipset players in enabling satellite connectivity through its Snapdragon X80 and X85 modems, followed by Huawei, Google and Samsung. MediaTek is also advancing NTN integration through its MT6825 5G SoC. More participation from chipset players will increase competition while potentially helping scalability.”

The partnerships entered into by North American telecom players, such as T-Mobile with SpaceX, AT&T with AST Mobile and Rogers with SpaceX, along with Apple’s tie-up with Globalstar, have helped bring satellite connectivity to smartphones, making North America an early leader in the field. Though telecom operators in other regions, like Europe and China, are not rushing to offer satellite connectivity, satellite operators are increasing capacity to cater to the mass market.

Commenting on the satellite smartphone market outlook, Peter Richardson, research vice President said,

“Nearly one in two smartphones is expected to support satellite connectivity by 2030. Apple, Google and Samsung will lead in terms of overall penetration, but Android brands targeting the entry and mid-price segments will see less penetration. Satellite offerings by more Android players and telecom operators beyond developed markets will play a key role in accelerating global adoption.”

The satellite smartphone connectivity space is expected to create opportunities across the entire ecosystem, including smartphone OEMs, SoC vendors, component players, telecom operators and satellite operators.

Beyond this, it will also unlock new service models and bundled offerings, where companies like Amazon could integrate satellite connectivity into platforms such as Amazon Prime to enhance the overall consumer experience.

However, the pace of growth will depend on the collaboration of ecosystem players to solve issues such as design and cost constraints, limited use cases, regulatory complexities and network immaturity.

This solid and efficient chip is gaining traction for several reasons, including:

• Epic Performance, Mid-Range Price: Ensures performance close to high-end processors at a more affordable cost.
• Extended Battery Life: The 4nm manufacturing process ensures improved power efficiency.
• Superb Gaming Experience: Comes with a powerful GPU and MediaTek HyperEngine 6.0 technology for great gameplay.

The Dimensity 8200 Ultimate 5G SoC stands out for its ultra-efficient 4nm-class chip, which provides best-in-class power efficiency and smooth performance in everyday apps and activities. 

Let’s delve deeper into why the Dimensity 8200 is a go-to choice for both phone makers and users.

The MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate 5G SoC is Great for Game-Lovers, But there are other Advantages

A big advantage of the Dimensity 8200 is an octa-core CPU, having four Arm Cortex-A78 cores and four Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration enables the SoC to balance power and efficiency, enhancing adequate performance in everyday tasks and gaming alike. 

The CPU is complemented by a solid Mali-G610 graphics engine, which supports high frame-rate gaming experiences and ensures smooth visuals in popular titles.

The Dimensity 8200 also comes with a fully integrated 5G modem, which supports the latest 3GPP Release-16 standard technology and 3CC carrier aggregation. This ensures that smartphones powered by the Dimensity 8200 can take full advantage of the latest 5G networks, providing users with fast and reliable connectivity.

MediaTek’s HyperEngine 6.0 Gaming Technologies

One of the interesting features of the Dimensity 8200 is MediaTek’s HyperEngine 6.0 gaming technologies. These technologies ensure that gamers can enjoy high-framerate gameplay without suffering from FPS jitter, touch misses, or gameplay hiccups. 

The Dimensity 8200’s efficient performance, combined with HyperEngine 6.0 power efficiency enhancements, ensures that users can enjoy seamless gaming experiences, even in the most intense action or responsive scenarios.

In addition to its gaming capabilities, the Dimensity 8200 also supports 120Hz WQHD+ / 180Hz Full HD+ display, ensuring that users can enjoy clear visuals in all their favourite games and apps. 

The SoC also supports AI-enhanced Variable Rate Shading technology (AI-VRS), which optimizes graphics rendering and reduces power consumption, further enhancing the overall gaming adventure.

Connectivity and Security

The Dimensity 8200 is also great in connectivity and security. The SoC supports Wi-Fi 6E, providing users with supremely fast wireless networking and improved connection reliability. 

The Dimensity 8200’s 5G modem also supports the latest 3GPP Release-16 standard technology and 3CC carrier aggregation, ensuring that users can fully leverage the latest 5G networks.

In terms of security, the Dimensity 8200 has a range of certifications from Riscure, Thales, and TUViT, ensuring that smartphones powered by this SoC are secure and reliable. 

The SoC also supports Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E 2×2, providing users with seamless connectivity and low latency performance when using Bluetooth earbuds or peripherals.

The MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate 5G SoC is a great and efficient solution for premium 5G smartphones. With its loaded features including an octa-core CPU, powerful graphics engine, and fully integrated 5G modem, the Dimensity 8200 ensures smooth performance, fast connectivity, and long-lasting battery life. 

Now you know why the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate 5G SoC is a go-to choice for phone makers. So, the next you plan to change your smartphone, opt for a worthy choice.