Pixel 9a lacks this important security feature from the Pixel 9 series

The Google Pixel 9a Finally announced this week, and it brings many of Pixel 9’s functions to a lower price point. For example, both phones have the same screen, chipset, storage options and software support. To achieve Pixel 9A’s price point of $ 499, Google had to cut down in some areas, including which modem it uses. Pixel 9a uses one last generation modem, and as a result, one of Pixel 9’s most important security features is missed: Satellite SOS.

In advance of the phone’s launch, Google told Android Authority that Modem in Pixel 9a Is the Exynos Modem 5300, which is the same modem used in the Pixel 8 series. In contrast are the rest of the phones in Google Pixel 9 The series uses the Exynos modem 5400 from Samsung. Apart from having better efficiency, stability and performance than its predecessor, the Exynos modem 5400 also supports the 3GPP Release 17 standard. 3GPP Release 17 enables support for 5G non-farmer networks (NTN), so devices can connect to low soil track satellites.

We were curious if this meant that Pixel 9a would not have any satellite connection features, so we reached out to Google to find out. A Google spokesperson confirmed to Android Authority that pixel 9a does not support Satellite SOSAn important security feature available on Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

“Confirmation of Pixel 9a will not support satellite SOS and satellite messages.” – a Google spokesperson

Satellite SOS connects your pixel phone to the emergency services when your phone is out of Wi-Fi or the mobile service area. Google announced it with the launch of the Pixel 9 series last year. It was originally limited to users in the continental United States, but recently expanded to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Europe and the UK with the last march Pixel drop Update.

Google’s statement also confirmed that Pixel 9a does not support satellite messageswhich was recently available on the Pixel 9 series with the same March Pixel Drop update. With satellite messages, Pixel 9 users on Verizon and T-Mobile can send text messages to friends and family members while outside the web.

Although Pixel 9a does not support the same feature, I think Starlink’s satellite service can still work on the device. Starlink’s service, currently in Beta for both T-Mobile and non-mobile customers, enables satellite messages on existing phones without requiring specialized hardware. Starlink’s newer satellites use directly to cell technology, and broadcast their own network using T-Mobile’s middle tape spectrum. This should theoretically allow Pixel 9a, along with other non-led-capable Android devices, to send text messages in areas without cellular coverage.

Although Pixel 9a had the newer Exynos modem 5400, it is uncertain whether Google would have enabled satellite -Ssos and satellite message features. Google’s announcement of the Pixel 9 -series satellite feature mentioned only two years of free access, suggesting it could introduce a subscription fee in the future. Since satellite SOS is dependent on Skylo (for its non-limited network) and Garmin (to respond to emergency requests), Google may have chosen to differentiate Pixel 9a by omitting the function. However, to make Pixel 9a competes more favorably with the iPhone 16eGoogle may have chosen to include satellite SOS, the hardware had supported it. Who knows what the company would have done in this hypothetical situation, but as it says today, Pixel 9a lacks the same satellite functions as the more premium siblings and some of the more direct competitors like.