Samsung Galaxy S26 series could support satellite calls
The new Samsung Exynos 2600 chipset arrived just last week, the first processor manufactured using a 2nm process. Rumours suggest this chip will power the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 8 and possibly also power the Samsung Galaxy S26 series in at least one country. When the Exynos 2600 was introduced, Samsung was conspicuously silent about its modem. Now, initial details have emerged about an Exynos 5410 modem, which may be part of the Exynos 2600 package.
The Exynos 5410 modem integrates LTE DTC, NB-IoT NTN, and NR-NTN on a single chip. NB-IoT NTN (Narrowband Internet of Things Non-Terrestrial Networks) operates in the lower end of the communication spectrum. It enables the reliable transmission of very small amounts of data, such as location data or text messages, even in deserts or across oceans. According to Samsung, this part is Skylo certified.
Samsung Galaxy S26 with LTE DTC
LTE DTC (Direct to Cell) is an exciting new technology that allows ordinary 4G LTE smartphones to connect directly to satellites without special hardware, extending conventional mobile networks beyond terrestrial boundaries – ideal for emergencies, uncovered areas and bridging dead zones by having satellites replace ground stations to enable basic services such as text messaging and voice calls.
In addition, there is NR NTN, short for New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks, which promises even higher data throughput and could enable satellite video calls in the future, for example.
While we don’t yet have confirmation that the Exynos 5410 modem will be used in the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, we do know that it is among the highest-quality, if not the highest-quality, modems the company offers and is manufactured using the advanced 4nm EUV process. It is based on the 3GPP Release 17 standard, supports dual connectivity with 5G NR over FR1 (sub-6GHz) and FR2 (mmWave), and offers a maximum download speed of up to 14.79 Gbps.
If the Samsung Galaxy S26 series does indeed feature advanced satellite connectivity, the Exynos 5410 modem is likely the first place to look for possible details. There is also some good news regarding the charging speeds of the S26 phones, but unfortunately not about the cameras.
