Google brings satellite calling via WhatsApp to new Pixel 10 phones

Google will finally be bringing voice and video calls over satellite through WhatsApp to the new Pixel 10 phones. In what is a first for smartphones, the company is partnering up with Starlink to provide connectivity in cellular-dead zones.

In a tweet, Google has teased the new feature:

Pixel10 has you covered on and off the grid. Pixel devices will be the first to offer voice and video calls on WhatsApp over a satellite network starting 8/28.

The post also shows a brief demo video where you can make calls without a mobile connection. The caveat, however, is that the service will only be available to select carriers.

As of now, most phones only come with an emergency-only satellite messaging service, but Google has partnered up with Meta to push a bit further into bringing this level of practical communication. When you make a call through this method, you will see a satellite icon in the status bar.

At this point, services like T-Satellite only provide SMS and MMS, while others like Apple only offer the ability to send texts over iMessage, both only for emergency SOS.