Google has quietly dropped one of the most unusual upgrades to its Pixel 10 lineup: WhatsApp voice and video calls via satellite. The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be the first smartphones to support this function when it rolls out on August 28. 
The announcement came days after the hardware reveal, signaling that Google wanted to highlight the feature separately.
The system allows users to make WhatsApp calls even when cut off from cellular towers – as long as they’re on a participating carrier. Of course, that’s where the fine print begins: carriers may tack on extra fees for the satellite link, turning what feels like a simple WhatsApp call into something potentially costly.
While it’s an exciting technical milestone, it also sparks questions. By tying the feature exclusively to WhatsApp, Google gives Meta’s messenger an edge over rivals like Signal or Telegram. Some see this as another example of platform holders favoring specific apps, much like Apple’s satellite-enabled iMessage. Others note the irony: people may end up paying more to make calls through a third-party app that still relies on the same infrastructure carriers have been using for decades.
The Pixel 10 family is already positioned as Google’s most ambitious lineup yet, with premium pricing across the range: the base Pixel 10 starts at €899 / £799, while the Pro Fold reaches $1,799. Now, with satellite-enabled WhatsApp calling, Google is betting that the promise of always-on communication will make its flagship devices stand out – even if consumers are left debating whether convenience outweighs cost and competition concerns.
1 comment
lmao so ur telling me i gotta pay extra to make a call on whatsapp that my carrier already does for free? clown world 😂