According to SamMobile, Samsung is developing a new Exynos 5G modem with enhanced satellite connectivity capabilities. This modem will be paired with the upcoming Exynos 2600 processor. The combined chipset is likely destined for the Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy S26+ smartphones. However, this configuration will only be used in select countries globally when these devices launch. The report indicates this is part of Samsung’s ongoing internal modem development efforts.
The Satellite Connectivity Arms Race
Here’s the thing: satellite connectivity in smartphones is quickly shifting from a niche emergency feature to a potential battleground. Apple did it first with the iPhone 14, and now everyone’s scrambling to catch up. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Satellite tech is out there, and now Samsung is pushing its own in-house Exynos modem solution. It’s a clear signal that two-way satellite messaging for emergencies—and maybe eventually more—is becoming table stakes for flagship phones. But Samsung’s plan to limit this Exynos 2600 combo to “select countries” is the real story. It screams of the same old regional chipset fragmentation strategy they’ve used for years. So, some markets will get the satellite-enabled Exynos, while others, probably including the US, will likely get a Qualcomm Snapdragon variant. It’s a messy way to roll out what should be a universal safety feature.
What This Means for Buyers and the Market
For users, the immediate impact is confusion. If you buy a Galaxy S26, your experience with this potentially life-saving satellite feature will depend entirely on your postal code. That’s not great. It also puts more pressure on app developers and service providers. Will they have to account for different underlying hardware when enabling satellite features? Probably. For Samsung, it’s a double-edged sword. Developing their own modem tech is crucial for long-term independence and cost savings, especially as they aim to compete directly with Qualcomm and Apple’s silicon. But rolling it out piecemeal risks making the flagship Galaxy S series feel less like a cohesive global product. I think the real question is: how much better is this “enhanced” satellite connectivity? Is it just catching up to Apple’s existing implementation, or is Samsung adding something new? We’ll have to wait and see, but the modem wars are definitely heating up.
