Page 53 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2025

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Thuraya Launches New 5G-Satellite Smartphone in Latest D2D Move

At Mobile World Congress 2025 on Kryo processor, three rear cameras, a 50MP
Monday, UAE-based Space42’s satellite primary lens, and a front-facing camera.
mobility arm Thuraya launched its latest The battery supports up to 26 hours of talk
hybrid 5G-satellite smartphone, Thuraya time in 5G mode. The smartphone is also
One, as it continues to position itself in dust and waterproof with an IP67 rating.
the direct-to-device (D2D) satellite space. The launch of Thuraya One comes a year
Thuraya One runs on Android 14 and can after Yahsat – which merged with Bayanet
connect to 5G and 4G terrestrial networks, to become Space42 in September 2024 –
as well as Thuraya’s satellite network, launched the Skyphone, an Android handset
including the recently launched Thuraya with similar specs that also supports 5G
4 satellite. The Thuraya One smartphone and Thuraya satellite connectivity. Like
has dual SIM and dual-mode functionality, the Skyphone, Thuraya One is part of
which enables users to seamlessly switch Space42’s ongoing strategy to play in the
between cellular and satellite networks. emerging D2D space, said Ali Al Hashemi,
The smartphone can also be used with SIM CEO of Yahsat Space Services at Space42.
cards from any of Thuraya’s 370+ roaming “We are accelerating our position as a non-
operator partners, allowing customers terrestrial networks operator and executing
to use a single SIM card for cellular and our direct-to-device strategy to bring out the Thuraya One phone at the Space42
satellite calls and messages. Other specs uninterrupted connectivity to billions of stand. The phone is also now available
for Thuraya One include a durable 6.67” people and devices worldwide,” he said in via Thuraya’s network of over 140 service
AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Octa-core a statement. Punters at MWC25 can check partners and distributors around the world.

Qualcomm Introducing X85, the World’s Leading Modem-RF for Unprecedented

5G Speeds and Intelligence

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., continues of connected and AI-enabled applications, Advanced features of the Qualcomm X85
raising the bar for connectivity with the an- delivering faster speeds for seamless will bring connectivity leadership to An-
nouncement of the Qualcomm® X85 5G streaming, downloads and uploads, im- droid smartphones. The Qualcomm X85 is
Modem-RF, its eighth-generation 5G mo- proved network reliability in congested ar- also engineered to support 5G Advanced
dem-to-antenna solution and fourth-gener- eas, extended battery life, and enhanced capabilities in a multitude of other devices
ation AI-powered 5G connectivity system. location accuracy for an overall superior including PCs, fixed wireless access points,
The X85 is designed for the next generation user experience. The industry-leading 5G automotive, XR, and more. “Qualcomm
X85, the world’s most advanced mo-
dem-to-antenna system, is set to provide
the best 5G experiences. For smartphones,
it enables levels of speeds, power-efficien-
cy and reliability that will only be available
on premium Android devices,” said Durga
Malladi, senior vice president and general
manager, technology planning and edge
solutions, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
“Technology leadership has and will always
be our focus. As we celebrate our 40th an-
niversary and enter the era of agentic and
on-device AI, it is fitting that we mark this
milestone by launching this industry lead-
ing platform. Our innovations in modem-RF
and on-device AI uniquely position us as
the leader for this next generation of con-
nected intelligence.”

53 MARCH-APRIL 2025