Nearly three out of four satellite-enabled smartphones shipped in 2025 were iPhones, according to a new Counterpoint Research report. Here’s where the market is expected to go next.
According to a new Counterpoint Research report released 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 says the market is currently split, with companies like Apple, Huawei, and Google using proprietary satellite systems, while much of the Android ecosystem, including Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, HONOR, and vivo, is aligning with emerging 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) standards.
It adds that the former enables tightly integrated, device-specific services today, while the latter aims to turn satellites into extensions of cellular networks for broader interoperability and scale in the future.
The report also notes that while Apple has taken the lead, market-wide adoption still hinges on broader use cases other than messaging and emergency services, in addition to an expansion into mid-tier devices:
The satellite smartphone market is mostly driven by the premium segment, but the lack of killer use cases is limiting mass adoption. 3GPP Release 17-based use cases are limited to SOS and messaging. While 3GPP Release 18 will help further adoption across brands in the premium segment, mass adoption in the mid-price segment is expected only with Release 19.
Another aspect that influences adoption rates is how satellite connectivity is being implemented at the chipset level. Here’s Senior Analyst Shivani Parashar:
Qualcomm has been at the forefront among Android chipset players in enabling satellite connectivity through its Snapdragon X80 and X85 modems, followed by Huawei, Google and Samsung. MediaTek is also advancing NTN integration through its MT6825 5G SoC. More participation from chipset players will increase competition while potentially helping scalability.
Finally, the report touches on partnerships between telecom operators and satellite providers, and how that is already helping enable early adoption.
It cites efforts such as T-Mobile and Rogers partnering with SpaceX, AT&T partnering with AST Mobile, and Apple’s partnership with now Amazon-owned Globalstar, positioning North America as an early leader in this market.
It also notes that while “telecom operators in other regions, like Europe and China, are not rushing to offer satellite connectivity, satellite operators are increasing capacity to cater to the mass market.”
Given this context, Counterpoint says it expects global shipments of smartphones with satellite connectivity to reach 46% by 2030, with “Apple, Google and Samsung [leading] in terms of overall penetration,” and “more Android players and telecom operators beyond developed markets [playing] a key role in accelerating global adoption”, according to Research Vice President Peter Richardson.
To read Counterpoint Research’s full report, follow this link.
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