The Huawei Mate 50 series was launched last year with support for satellite communications. However, phones could only send messages via satellite and could not make calls. Huawei is currently developing the Mate 60 series, which is expected to also have satellite connectivity. But future phones may even support voice calls, thanks to new power amplifier chips.

The Huawei Mate 60 series is expected to include power amplifier (PA) chips made by Chinese chip makers. These PA chips are specially designed for the Tiantong-1 mobile communication satellite system. The satellite system can be used for voice communication, image transmission, precise positioning and data transmission.

PA chips play a critical role in devices that use these satellite functions. They are currently integrated into the Huawei Mate X3 and P60 series, both of which support two-way satellite communication via SMS. These chips amplify the high frequency signal generated by the communication integrated circuit (RF-IC) to the required output level and feed it to the antenna. This amplification is necessary to ensure effective satellite communications, including voice calls.

It is claimed that the PA chips, which are said to be integrated into the Huawei Mate 60 series, are not produced by Huawei; instead, the company handed over that responsibility to an unknown Chinese chip maker. Although currently unconfirmed, the inclusion of these chips indicates that Huawei Mate 60 smartphones may support voice calls via satellite.

If true, this will be the first case of voice search over a satellite link on a smartphone. To give some context, Apple’s iPhone 14 series only supports emergency SOS calls via satellite.