PRNEWS – Satellite connectivity: the rise of smartphone
A comparison report dedicated to RF front-end modules, satcom focus.
Smartphone-based satellite connectivity is on the rise. It is indeed, driven by Apple’s partnership with Globalstar and Huawei’s strides in the Chinese market.
Other leading smartphone manufacturers are poised to follow, further expanding the demand for satellite-equipped RF components.
The RF front end plays a key role in satellite connectivity, enabling efficient transmission and reception of signals within user terminals and satellites. And forecasts predict robust growth in the market for satellite-enabled smartphone RF front-end technology in the coming years.
According to Yole Group’s report, RF for Satcom (2024 edition), analysts estimate that the RF device market for Satcom will grow from more than $220 million in 2024 to more than $370 milion in 2029 with a 10% CAGR during the period. And it is no surprise that FEMs have the biggest market share considering the high volumes shipments.
In this context, Yole Group evaluates and compares the range of technologies offered by various leading providers with a dedicated and new report, RF FEM Comparison 2025 – Satcom. This new analysis combines implementation strategies, technological methods, and cost implications across different smartphone segments. Smartphones selected by Yole Group are: iPhone 16 Pro Max – Galaxy S24 Ultra – nubia Red Magic 9 Pro – Reno11 Pro. Those electronic systems are using technologies developed by MediaTek, Qualcomm, Broadcom….
This report is part of Yole Group’s collection of Comparison Reports. This collection delivers an overview of multiple similar components, including a high-level analysis focused on technical approaches, costs, and evolution, with the objective of understanding manufacturers’ strategic choices and enabling effective benchmarking.
Various module types and architectures are anticipated for satellite-enabled smartphones, such as LNAs, switches, filters, digital beamformers, transmit-, receive-, and mixed front-end modules.
Ihor Pershukov, PhD, Technology & Cost Analyst, Radio Frequency at Yole Group: “In this RF front-end comparative report, we offer insights into the technology and cost data of RF front-end devices found in four smartphones, including Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max series, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro, and Oppo Reno11 Pro.”
Solutions proposed by Broadcom, Mediatek, Qualcomm, Murata, Skyworks are well analyzed in this comparative report, at the chipset, technology, process, and cost levels. Yole Group aims to highlight the key differences and similarities in designs. Indeed, the architectural complexity can vary considerably depending on the specific end-user equipment segment. Some designs are quite intricate, integrating multiple IC dies, IF RxTx and Satcom receivers, as well as filters (FBAR BAW, TC-SAW, etc.), whereas others rely solely on IF RxTx, LNAs and filters…
Yole Group continues to track these innovations, offering in-depth analysis of semiconductor industry evolution. Stay tuned on Yole Group website!
Source: www.yolegroup.com