The Skyphone: a hybrid between smart- and satellite phone that takes it to the next level

When the iPhone 14 series launched, we got our first glimpse at how smartphones can combine with satellite connections. Limited in many ways, sure, but still pretty important — especially when it comes to saving your life. You could send a one way signal, containing all the important information about how rescuers can find you, and what condition you are in. Cool.

The Thuraya Skyphone is an everyday smartphone… which can also connect to satellites

Thuraya is a UAE-based company with a lot of different branches and thus — resources. It has its own personal fleet of 5 satellites, so hey — makes sense to make a satellite phone, right?

It’s a somewhat hefty handset — it starts with the 6.67″ AMOLED screen, and then there’s hardware it needs to fit, including its retractable antenna. We wouldn’t say it’s unwieldy — it’s on the thicker side, but we’ve rocked phones with rugged cases on them before, and this is about the same in size. It does also have IP67 rating for dust- and water-resistance.

The Android on board seemed pretty clean, a vanilla experience with no extra skins, icon packs, or bells and whistles.

But who do you call? How do you call?

OK, this is what really grabbed our attention. So, most of the time, the Thuraya Skyphone is your basic smartphone — you pop your SIM card in, you get signal, you call numbers from your contacts list and they see your name.

With the Skyphone, when you are outside any network coverage, you hop onto a Thuraya satellite connection, which is relayed to your home operator then. So, it works just like roaming — phone numbers and all. And, just like with roaming, you pay extra on the minutes of talk you spend over the satellite connection. There’s no subscription or pre-paid fee — it’s “pay as much as you talk”. We don’t have details on pricing, and that would obviously be very different for each country.

Where can I make satellite calls?