According to a new Counterpoint Research report, nearly one-third of satellite-enabled smartphones shipped in 2025 will be iPhones. Let's take a look at what will happen in the next step of the market.

Shipments are expected to reach 46% by 2030

According to a new Counterpoint Research report published today, Apple shipped 71.6% of all satellite-enabled smartphones last year, followed by Samsung at 15.9%, Huawei at 6.1%, Google at 2.2%, and Honor at 1.9%.

Counterpoint notes that the market is currently utilizing special satellite systems from companies like Apple, Huawei, and Google, while a large part of the Android ecosystem is aligning with 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) standards, which include Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, HONOR, and vivo.

It adds that while older systems are tightly integrated today, providing device-specific services, new systems aim to make satellite connections extensions of cellular networks in the future.

The report also emphasizes that despite Apple having taken the lead, the overall adoption in the market still depends on expanding to broader use cases beyond messaging and emergency services, as well as mid-range devices:

The satellite smartphone market is largely driven by the premium segment, but the lack of effective use cases limits mass adoption. 3GPP Release 17-based use cases are limited to SOS and messaging. While 3GPP Release 18 will help increase adoption among brands in the premium segment, mass adoption in the mid-price segment is only expected with Release 19.

Another factor affecting adoption rates is how satellite connectivity is implemented at the chipset level. Here are the views of Senior Analyst Shivani Parashar:

Qualcomm is leading the way among Android chipset players in providing satellite connectivity through Snapdragon X80 and X85 modems, followed by Huawei, Google, and Samsung. MediaTek is also advancing NTN integration with the MT6825 5G SoC. Greater participation from chipset players will increase competition and potentially support scalability.

Finally, the report addresses how partnerships between telecom operators and satellite providers have facilitated early adoption.

It cites examples of T-Mobile and Rogers partnering with SpaceX, AT&T with AST Mobile, and Apple currently with Amazon-owned Globalstar, noting that North America is positioned as an early leader in this market.

It also adds that “telecom operators in other regions like Europe and China are not rushing to offer satellite connectivity, but satellite operators are increasing capacity to appeal to the mass market.”

In this context, Counterpoint expects global shipments of smartphones with satellite connectivity to reach 46% by 2030, stating that “Apple, Google, and Samsung are ahead in terms of overall penetration” and that “more Android players and telecom operators beyond developed markets will play a significant role in accelerating global adoption,” according to Research Vice President Peter Richardson.

Follow this link to read the full report from Counterpoint Research.