The applicable scenarios are still too specific.

In the second half of 2023, Huawei's Mate60 Pro, which had not been officially released yet, shook up the entire mobile phone market with its satellite calling feature. Subsequently, a wave of satellite communication functions landed in the mobile phone industry, with major players such as Honor, OPPO, Xiaomi, and ZTE successively launching products supporting satellite calling. Recently, with the release of Nubia Z60S Pro, the price of satellite-enabled phones has dropped below 3,000 yuan. The popularity of this "groundbreaking" technology has indeed exceeded our expectations.

However, for satellite calling to become a standard feature on mobile phones, more time is needed. In fact, beyond mobile phones, satellite terminals come in other forms as well.

Recently, Unicom Hangmei, a subsidiary of China Unicom, launched a "Satellite Router" that can connect to satellites as a terminal product, enabling devices such as mobile phones to make satellite calls and send/receive satellite messages through satellite signals.

China Unicom's Satellite Device Enables You to Use a Chinese Version of "Starlink"

The official name of this satellite device launched by China Unicom is "Navigator Phased Array." In terms of product form, it measures 263x238x42mm and weighs 2.26KG, with a square appearance reminiscent of a router and a weight comparable to a gaming laptop.

(Image Source: China Unicom)

Officially, this product employs phased array antenna and software-defined radio (SDR) technology, supporting both high-orbit and low-orbit satellites. In terms of satellite search, the Navigator Phased Array utilizes electrical scanning technology to quickly scan beams, enabling fast and precise tracking of targets. Additionally, it supports baseband systems with spread spectrum technology, providing stronger anti-interference characteristics and better connection stability.

In terms of specific functions, simply put, it is a satellite network router. The core function of the Navigator Phased Array is to access the satellite network and then share the network signal with smart devices such as mobile phones via WiFi. It also supports satellite voice calling. For users in areas without terrestrial signals, it becomes the core device for network communication.

(Image Source: China Unicom)

Of course, from the perspective of mobile phone users, the Navigator Phased Array can be considered "bulky," and its core functions seem similar to those of flagship phones supporting satellite communication. After all, both the current Huawei Mate60 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Ultra support satellite calls and messages.

However, just like dedicated wireless routers versus mobile hotspots, while they may seem to offer similar functions, their network performance, user experience, and applicable scenarios differ. Products like the Navigator Phased Array are dedicated satellite devices with hardware configurations and performance far surpassing the satellite communication modules integrated into smartphones. With higher configurations, better heat dissipation, and stronger antenna performance, the "Satellite Router" can provide better network performance, more stable connections, and an enhanced satellite network experience.

While ordinary consumers may view the Navigator Phased Array as an inconvenient behemoth, compared to more professional satellite equipment, it has undergone miniaturization, and its weight of over 2KG can be considered lightweight.

In fact, the primary scenarios targeted by the Navigator Phased Array differ from those of satellite phones, with the former emphasizing long-term, continuous usage scenarios and the latter focusing on emergency situations. According to China Unicom's official promotion, the Navigator Phased Array is suitable for scenarios such as off-road driving, emergency rescue, and wilderness herding. It can be installed on the roof of a vehicle, serving as a signal source for in-vehicle systems and other smart devices, enabling real-time data transmission and sharing even during high-speed movement, which regular satellite phones cannot achieve.

(Image Source: China Unicom)

Upon reflection, we can discern the difference between the Navigator Phased Array and satellite smartphones, with its application scenarios mirroring those of Musk's Starlink service. In some overseas regions with inadequate terrestrial network infrastructure, people in remote areas often rely on Starlink for internet connectivity due to its relatively low cost. Similarly, if installed on a rooftop, the Navigator Phased Array can serve a highly similar purpose.

"Satellite Router": Who Will Buy It?

At the Navigator Phased Array's launch event, China Unicom spent considerable time introducing the product's advantages, including its technical solutions, functions, and applicable scenarios. However, as ordinary consumers, we must focus on aspects that the official promotion did not emphasize.

First and foremost is the price. The suggested retail price of the Navigator Phased Array is 59,800 yuan, with an initial special price of 39,800 yuan. While this price may seem steep, it is relatively reasonable for professional satellite equipment. However, the cost of satellite equipment usage is not a one-time expense; in addition to the device itself, using related satellite communication services also incurs additional fees.

Unfortunately, at the launch event, China Unicom did not disclose specific information, only stating that the first 100 devices would come with 1GB of free data valid for six months, followed by 3GB of free data from the seventh month onwards, also valid for six months. If you're considering purchasing this product, it's essential to clarify the specific tariffs before making a decision.

Next is the usage scenario. As mentioned earlier, it targets scenarios such as off-road driving and wilderness herding, which are quite distant from those of ordinary users. After all, China's communication infrastructure is well-developed, with 4G and 5G signals extensively covering daily life, leaving few dead zones without signals.

Of course, in hiking or wilderness environments, there may be areas without terrestrial signal coverage. However, in such scenarios, the satellite communication function of mobile phones is sufficient for emergency use. For most people, there is rarely a need for prolonged use of satellite communication.

(Image Source: China Unicom)

Another consideration is actual network speed. Notably, the official statement indicates that the Navigator Phased Array supports both high-orbit and low-orbit satellites, but the latter requires a subsequent OTA update, and currently, it connects to the high-orbit satellite AsiaPacific 6D, with limited network speed. If the device cannot consistently maintain high internet speeds, the scenarios depicted in the official promotional video, such as watching videos and browsing social media over satellite networks, will not materialize.

In summary, although the Navigator Phased Array is officially defined as a consumer device, this does not mean it is a mass-market product. In my opinion, its target audience remains relatively narrow. If you're an off-road driving enthusiast or a professional rescue team, you can indeed maximize the utility of this satellite product. However, for the vast majority of ordinary consumers, it is merely an expensive and slightly novel device.

Satellite Communication: A Nice-to-Have Rather Than a Must-Have

As we mentioned at the beginning, satellite communication has become a popular feature on smartphones in recent years, gradually trending towards becoming a standard on high-end flagships. Satellite messaging and calling aim to address emergency scenarios, providing crucial "lifesaving" services. However, such scenarios are too extreme, making satellite communication difficult to become a rigid demand for the general public.

In my view, satellite communication functionality is unlikely to become a crucial factor in consumers' decisions when purchasing smartphones. As a feature that most people won't use most of the time, satellite communication is more of a nice-to-have rather than a pain point.

Nonetheless, the mobile phone market remains fiercely competitive among different brands, and creating differentiated selling points has become a common challenge. Currently, telling a compelling story about satellite communication can indeed enhance product competitiveness, increase topic discussion, and attract some users.

(Image Source: Lei Tech)

I believe the primary factor hindering the further popularization of satellite communication functionality is cost. Currently, the price difference between satellite-enabled and non-satellite-enabled phones with identical configurations is around 1,000 yuan, which mainstream users are unwilling to pay.

Certainly, as satellite communication technology advances and costs decrease in the future, the popularization of satellite communication is only a matter of time. Looking back at the history of smartphone development, we can see that the下放 of flagship features is a common trend. In earlier years, flagship-exclusive features such as high-power fast charging, high-refresh-rate screens, and high-pixel cameras have gradually become prevalent in mid-range and even low-end phones.

If the cost of satellite communication modules can be reduced to a level where users are insensitive to it, it is likely to become a "I may not use it, but you can't be without it" standard feature on smartphones.

Moreover, in the future, the coverage of satellite communication functionality will extend beyond smartphones, gradually becoming prevalent in smartwatches, tablets, laptops, in-vehicle systems, and many other smart devices. Although China Unicom's Navigator Phased Array targets the consumer market, its relatively high pricing and hardcore usage scenarios keep it too distant from ordinary users.

However, from a broader perspective, satellite communication technology will see widespread adoption in the future, with low-orbit satellites and terrestrial base stations jointly constructing a more comprehensive and three-dimensional network coverage. At that time, "satellite routers" created by China Unicom or other brands will open up a larger market.

Source: Lei Tech