<SoftBank> 8 Samsung Galaxy Products Now Compatible with "SoftBank Starlink Direct" Starting Today
SoftBank will launch "SoftBank Starlink Direct," a direct satellite-to-smartphone communication service utilizing Starlink, starting April 10, 2026, with 8 Samsung Galaxy products becoming compatible. This service will enable text messaging, reception of some emergency alerts like earthquake warnings, and data communication via supported apps in areas previously without terrestrial base station coverage, such as mountainous regions, remote islands, and at sea, or during disasters when terrestrial communication facilities are unavailable.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:23 (1h 23m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 04:02 (219h 39m after Collected)
Samsung Electronics Japan Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that 8 Samsung Galaxy products will be compatible with "SoftBank Starlink Direct," a direct satellite-to-smartphone communication service utilizing "Starlink," which SoftBank Corp. will begin offering from April 10, 2026.
Customers who subscribe to SoftBank's smartphone rate plans or Y!mobile's "Simple," "Simple 2," or "Simple 3" plans, and use eligible Samsung Galaxy 8 products sold by SoftBank Corp., can use "SoftBank Starlink Direct"*1 without application or additional charges. The provision of "SoftBank Starlink Direct" will enable sending and receiving text messages, receiving some emergency alert emails such as earthquake early warnings, and data communication via supported apps in outdoor environments in mountainous areas, remote islands, at sea, and other regions where terrestrial base station communication was previously unavailable, or in areas where terrestrial communication facilities become unusable during disasters.
Moving forward, we plan to sequentially expand the range of satellite communication-compatible products, not only for areas without radio wave coverage but also to ensure peace of mind during disasters.
*1 Available only in SoftBank's out-of-service areas and where there are no obstructions between the satellite and the device. Voice calls and emergency calls are not available.
Total 8 products (as of April 10, 2026)
"Samsung Galaxy S26｜S26+｜S26 Ultra｜S25｜S25 Ultra"
"Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7"
"Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7"
"Samsung Galaxy A25 5G"
*SIM-free devices are not eligible.
*For the above eligible devices, SIMs from "SoftBank," "Y!mobile," and "LINEMO" are all eligible.
*For details on "SoftBank Starlink Direct," please check SoftBank Corp.'s website.
●"Samsung Galaxy" is a trademark or registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
●SoftBank and the SoftBank name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of SoftBank Group Corp. in Japan and other countries.
●Other company names, product names, service names, etc., mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.