Although smartphones are rapidly improving in terms of their capabilities, one of the important features that is attracting more and more attention is Apple’s satellite emergency call feature. According to Canterbury Air Rescue’s Instagram post, it recently helped rescue two tourists stranded at Arthur’s Pass in New Zealand. Although this is the first use of the feature in New Zealand, it raises questions about the use of personal locator beacons (PLBs) on outdoor adventures.

Satellite SOS services could become a key feature of future smartphones

The satellite SOS feature on the iPhone 14 allows users to notify authorities when they are in areas without cellular service. In the case of New Zealand, tourists were caught off guard by the rising tide, which left them immobile on the riverbank. The satellite function helped them contact rescue services, which responded quickly.

But Canterbury’s Western Air Rescue stressed that PLBs remain important despite advances in smartphone technology. “This is a fairly new technology, so personal locator beacons are still recommended when traveling,” they said.

In response, Huawei is also gradually improving its satellite capabilities. The recently introduced Mate 60 Pro raises the bar in the current smartphone race by allowing China Telecom customers to make calls via satellite.

The value of Apple’s SOS feature is undeniable, especially considering its inclusion in the upcoming iPhone 15 series. All that said, the incident in New Zealand should be a wake-up call for adventurers. While smartphones can be a lifesaver in emergencies, they won’t replace specialized equipment like PLBs designed specifically for emergencies.

For example, battery life remains an issue; During a rescue operation, the health of the user’s iPhone battery is one of the first things the rescue team checks. Self? Even if your newest smartphone promises moon sighting, or in this case has a satellite connection, always have a personal locator with you when you go outside.