NEWS
T-Mobile Starlink satellite messaging beta on a Samsung phone open to anyone in US
Since last month, some Galaxy smartphone users on T-Mobile’s network in the US have started getting access to Starlink satellite messaging. Now, T-Mobile has opened Starlink satellite messaging Beta up to everyone in the US for Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets, which means Verizon and AT&T customers can try it out too.
T-Mobile Starlink satellite messaging Beta testing is free and open to anyone on a Samsung Galaxy phone in the US
The T-Mobile Starlink beta gives Galaxy users text-only messaging through their phone’s native messaging app. This means you can send and receive standard text-based messages, including texts to 911. In a nutshell, this new feature allows people to send and receive messages directly via satellite connection when there is no cellular reception nearby.
In the future, the feature will also include picture messaging, data services, and voice calling It is worth mentioning that the best part of this beta program is that they are making it available to everyone for free.
The T-Mobile Starlink beta allows you to be one of the first to experience satellite-to-mobile connectivity for free until July 2025. Once the free beta ends, customers on T-Mobile’s Go5G Next plan will continue to have free access to the service, while customers on other plans will be able to add it for $15 per month. Additionally, Verizon and AT&T customers will be able to use it for $20 per month.
It’s worth noting that users don’t need to adjust any settings manually. When their Samsung Galaxy phone is out of range of a cell tower, it will automatically connect to the T-Mobile Starlink network.
Compatible phones are
The T-Mobile Starlink beta program page has also confirmed that the service works on many smartphones released in the last four years, so most Samsung Galaxy phones released during this period will work. In addition, the company has confirmed that these devices will work with T-Mobile Starlink beta,
- Apple iPhone 14 and later (including Plus, Pro & Pro Max)
- Google Pixel 9 (including Pro, Pro Fold, & Pro XL)
- Motorola 2024 and later (including razr, razr+, edge and g series)
- Samsung Galaxy A14, A15, A16, A35, A53, A54
- Samsung Galaxy S21 and later (including Plus, Ultra and Fan Edition)
- Samsung Galaxy X Cover6 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 and later
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and later
- REVVL 7 (including Pro)
Register for the Starlink beta program
Samsung has reportedly commenced Android 17-based One UI 9 testing for the Galaxy S26 series. The first-ever Android 17 build has surfaced on Samsung’s firmware server, suggesting an early debut of the next One UI version.
An alleged Android 17 firmware has been listed on CheckFirm (via TarunVats) for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. That said, Samsung kicked off its work on the One UI 9 system for the latest flagship nearly two months earlier than usual.
Based on available information, Samsung is currently testing the BZC5 build on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung will take its time to refine this new operating system for Galaxy devices and will not rush the release of the firmware.
Although testing for One UI 9 has commenced early, this does not imply that it will become available to customers any sooner. Samsung will take the necessary time to optimize this new operating system for Galaxy devices and will not rush the firmware release.
On February 25, Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series, and these phones will be available starting March 11. A day later, the company began rolling out Beta 6 for the Galaxy S25 series, but it seems this may not be the last beta before the stable version is released. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 series is still receiving updates through the One UI 8.5 beta program.
Samsung One UI 8.5 beta 7
A reliable tipster, @TarunVats, spotted a new One UI 8.5 beta build for the Galaxy S25 series on testing systems. The build ending in ZZC3 indicates that Samsung is preparing the seventh beta update for the S25 phones. It’s worth noting that this build began rolling out in March, but the patch level is still February 2026.
The new build suggests that the beta program is still active even after the Galaxy S26 series launched with One UI 8.5 features and improvements. Galaxy S25 Users may have to wait a little longer for the final stable update.
The latest One UI 8.5 Beta 6 update fixed many problems and improved the phone’s performance, including Bixby, Gallery, Now Bar, Now Brief, Display settings, Modes, and Routines.
At this time, Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed how many more beta updates will arrive or when the stable One UI 8.5 version will be released for the Galaxy S25 series and older phones. However, the new beta build is a strong indication that at least one more beta update is on the way. Galaxy S25 users who are part of the beta program should keep an eye out for new updates.
At the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event on February 25, 2026, Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy S26 series. The series includes the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26. These new smartphones come with smarter AI features that help simplify everyday tasks. Now, we are talking about four hidden Galaxy S26 Ultra camera improvements, helping improve image and video quality.
Notably, the Galaxy S26 Ultra features Samsung’s most advanced camera system to date. Samsung has integrated its 200MP primary camera and 50MP telephoto camera into the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with a wide aperture to allow more light to reach the sensor.
Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, allowing Samsung to improve camera performance, even though the phone uses the same sensor as the previous Galaxy S series Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra gets four camera improvements
1. Improved 200MP images
The Galaxy S26 Ultra feature a mutltiframe HDR processing, so that it may now capture the better 200MP images. The company says these 200MP photos deliver clearer, more detailed, and greater dynamic range than 200MP shots taken on earlier Galaxy S series models.
2. New 24MP mode in the stock camera app
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a new 24MP resolution option in the stock camera app. This new mode combines a 12MP multi-frame processed image with a 50MP high-resolution image using a system called AI Fusion. The resulting 24MP photo offers more detail than a 12MP image to reach the sensors, resulting in brighter, cleaner, and sharper images.
3. Virtual Aperture in Portrait Mode
The Galaxy S25 Ultra launched with a virtual aperture feature, but it was limited to the Expert RAW app. Now, Samsung adds a virtual aperture feature to the Portrait mode of the stock camera app on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, allowing users to digitally adjust the aperture.
4. Auto option for Motion Photo
As the name suggests, a motion photo is a short video clip captured alongside a still image. It includes a few seconds before and after the shutter button is pressed.. Now, on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, when the Auto option is on, Motion Photos are only recorded when significant movement is detected in the scene. If you capture a static scene, such as a…. landscape, with no visible motion, the Motion Photo will not be saved.
-
NEWS1 year agoAbout the Battery Health and performance of Galaxy S25
-
NEWS1 year agoSamsung Android 15 update: Which Galaxy devices will get One UI 7
-
NEWS10 months agoJoin the One UI 8 Beta Program: Experience the latest One UI with Android 16
-
NEWS1 year agoMore evidence suggests the Galaxy S25 Ultra may eventually adopt this Pixel security feature
-
NEWS1 year agoSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra battery and Charging test: Upgrade results
-
ANDROID12 months agoSamsung Galaxy phones and tablets that should receive Android 16 and One UI 8 update
-
NEWS1 year agoGalaxy S25 to integrate Bixby and AI into camera app
-
NEWS1 year agoOne UI 7 battery icon to show charge levels with dynamic colors