NEWS
How Satellite Messaging works on the Galaxy S25 on Verizon
Samsung worked with Qualcomm to bring satellite messaging to the Galaxy S25 series. In addition, the latest Galaxy S series phones that begin shipping today (February 7) will give Verizon customers free access to Skylo Technologies’ satellite messaging and location-sharing service.
Verizon has teamed up with Skylo to introduce satellite connectivity features on Samsung’s recently launched Galaxy S25 series and Google Pixel 9 series. Now, Skylo has explained how the Satellite Messaging feature works on Samsung Galaxy S25 phones and revealed the differences between satellite functionality on Galaxy and Pixel phones.
The Galaxy S25 models use the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which includes the Snapdragon X80 5G modem-RF system, while the Pixel 9 is equipped with the Samsung Exynos 5400 modem to support a Satellite Messaging system.
Skylo’s global marketing head Pete Saladino told Mobile World Live that both the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9 phones will seek satellite connectivity through the firm’s software layer when they lose terrestrial reception.
Saladino explained that the emergency SOS service had three main features:
- The ability to connect with emergency services
- The ability to share the user’s locations with Garmin’s emergency response service
- The ability to send/receive texts with Garmin’s response service.
Specifically, the service will ask Galaxy S25 series owners to stand outside with a clear view of the sky to ensure proper satellite connectivity. Also, it will ask users about their emergency situation and request more information.
It is worth noting that the first message takes about three to four seconds to send, while subsequent responses from the provider should take five or six seconds.
According to a Qualcomm blog post during the launch, the Galaxy S25 series is the first Android device to feature Snapdragon Satellite Messaging, which allows consumers to send and receive messages via low-Earth orbit satellites (narrowband NTN), supported natively in the Android OS.
Samsung’s latest Fan Edition tablets, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+, are happy as they receive the latest January 2026 security update. Notably, the firmware contains the newest safety improvements that will improve the tablet’s current health for a reliable experience.
According to the inputs, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series tablet with model numbers SM-X520, SM-X526N, SM-X620, and SM-X626N is receiving the latest patch via the One UI versions X520XXS6BZA3, X526NKOS6BZA4, X620XXS6BZA3, and X626NKOS6BZA3, and a software package of 500MB. Though the firmware doesn’t weigh much, we suggest using a stable Wi-Fi connection for installation.
This update doesn’t add any significant new features to the device, aside from the January 2026 security patch. However, you can expect some underlying performance optimizations and fixes for glitches that could have negatively impacted the user experience.
It’s important to note that this update will not harm your personal data. However, it’s always a good idea to back up your data beforehand. Also, the update package will be automatically deleted after the installation is complete.
Samsung’s January 2026 security patch addresses 55 security vulnerabilities. Google helped fix one critical vulnerability and 20 high-risk issues found in Android. Samsung also added 30 additional security fixes specifically for Galaxy phones. These fixes address both critical and medium-level risks.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series has started emerging in the leaks, and the latest one has shed light on the camera button of the upcoming 2026 flagship.
As mentioned by Android Authority, a former employee at a Samsung supplier revealed on LinkedIn that they contributed to an initiative developing a new camera button with swipe gesture functionality for the Samsung Galaxy S26.
This report states that Samsung is working on an Apple-style Camera Control button for the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. An Apple-style Camera Control button on iPhone models lets you quickly open your iPhone camera and access common camera settings.
We can now say that the Galaxy S26 series will be the first Samsung phones in years to feature a dedicated camera button.
For your information, the last Samsung phone with a dedicated camera button was probably the Galaxy K Zoom from 2014, which was essentially an Android-powered digital camera that could also make calls.
On the other hand, Samsung has not yet officially confirmed the Galaxy S26 lineup. However, according to reports, the company may unveil the Galaxy S26 series at a Samsung Unpacked event in February 2026. This upcoming series could be available in early March. Stay tuned for more information.
Samsung is preparing to release its next major software update, One UI 8.5, which is expected to arrive next month with the Galaxy S26 series. Testing of the initial beta builds of this update has already begun, and new information suggests that Samsung is planning a significant upgrade to Game Booster+ in One UI 8.5.
Game Booster+ is the tool that improves gaming performance and controls on Galaxy phones. According to information via Samsung Community, the One UI 8.5 update with Game Booster+ will bring many new features, including Gamepad Touch Mapping, CPU and GPU Settings, Fast-forward Game Intros, and more.
The Gamepad Touch Mapping is one of the biggest additions, which allows you to control even touch-only games with the pad.
Moreover, this upcoming Game Booster+ update will replace the “Turn on Game Booster GPU Settings” with CPU and GPU Settings. Gamers can tweak their CPU and GPU for game-specific performance optimization.
Last but not least, One UI 8.5 also brings the Fast-forward Game Intros videos option in the Game Booster+, which lets users play much faster, so players can start gaming almost right away.
Currently, these features are only available on Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra phones running One UI 8.5.
-
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
-
NEWS8 months agoJoin the One UI 8 Beta Program: Experience the latest One UI with Android 16
-
NEWS12 months agoSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra battery and Charging test: Upgrade results
-
NEWS1 year agoMore evidence suggests the Galaxy S25 Ultra may eventually adopt this Pixel security feature
-
NEWS1 year agoGalaxy S25 to integrate Bixby and AI into camera app
-
ANDROID10 months agoSamsung Galaxy phones and tablets that should receive Android 16 and One UI 8 update
-
NEWS1 year agoOne UI 7 battery icon to show charge levels with dynamic colors