Durability
Durability is extremely important to most satellite phone users because they often need to use the device in extreme conditions and outdoors. We analyzed the ingress protect (IP) rating for each phone and the over all construction of the device
1. Thuraya X5 Touch
The Thuraya X5-Touch is the most rugged phone in the market with IP67 standard and compliance with MIL 810 G/F. I P67 means the unit can be dropped into a body of water up to a meter deep for half an hour, and it is full dust and water protected and tested to withstand shock, vibration and extreme temperature. The Touch has has passed the rigorous MIL-STD 810 G/F testing standards. The 5.2” full HD touchscreen made of glare resistant Gorilla® glass. The toughened glass also works while the display is wet or while you are wearing gloves.
2. Inmarsat IsatPhone 2
Like the Iridium Extreme, the IsatPhone 2 by Inmarsat has an IP65 enclosure. This robust handset has been engineered to cope with anything that nature can throw at it - from searing heat to icy blasts; desert sandstorms or monsoon rain. It also carries an IK04 rating, denoting that the device is protected against 0.5 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 200 mm above impacted surface.
3. Iridium 9575 Extreme
The Iridium 9575 Extreme is ruggedly engineered to support high frequency users in the harshest conditions. It has an IP65 rated enclosure, which means it is "dust tight" and protected against water projected from a nozzle. It also has passed the rigorous MIL-STD 810F testing. The Extreme is designed to have everything sealed and is a top choice among military and public safety professionals.
4. Iridium 9555
Although the 9555 was not built to spec like its cousin the Iridium Extreme, it is still ruggedly built and can handle any environment: from baking desert to frozen ice parks. It boasts an illuminated, weatherproof keypad, hand-friendly form and aerodynamic features such as an internally stowed antenna.
5. Globalstar GSP1700
The GSP1700 has not been designed to meet any specific standards for durability or ruggedness. There is a rugged holster option available that can offer some enhanced protection when using the phone in harsh environments.
Coverage
People that purchase satellite phones expect them to work off the grid, and many people assume they will work everywhere. The reality is some of these devices do offer truly global coverage so the user never has to consult a coverage map. Others are limited to specific regions.
1. Iridium 9555 and Iridium 9575 Extreme
Powered by a uniquely sophisticated global constellation of 66 cross-linked low earth orbit satellites, the Iridium network provides high-quality voice and data connections over the planet’s entire surface, including across airways, oceans, and polar regions. Iridium completed a constellation upgrade in early 2019, replacing all its satellites and upgrading the supporting ground infrastructure.
3. Inmarsat IsatPhone 2
Inmarsat owns and operates 13 satellites in geostationary orbit 35,786km (22,236 miles) above the Earth. Inmarsat provides the L Band GSPS service for the IsatPhone 2 via their three award-winning (I-4) satellites, offering seamless coverage around the entire globe. Only the polar regions are without coverage due to the curvature of the earth.
4. Globalstar GSP1700
Globalstar voice service is available via its 24 low earth orbit satellite and network of earth stations. The GSP 1700 can access the network in 110 countries. Users should be aware that the regions covered are divided into a Home Zone and Roaming Zone. Globalstar customers accessing the network in the Roaming Zone can expect to incur additional fees.
5. Thuraya X5 Touch
Thuraya's satellite services are available in Europe, parts of Asia, Australia and most of Africa via its two geostationary satellites. They also offer GSM coverage in other regions via their roaming partners, but for the purposes of this review we are only considering the satellite-served areas.
Features
Most satellite phones are not smart phones. With the exception of the Andriod OS-powered Thuraya X5 Touch, satellite phones are pretty basic tools built to be reliable for communicating off the grid. There are some essential features, such as an SOS alerting capability and the ability to send text messages, that most satellite phones now include.
1. Thuraya X5 Touch
The Thuraya X5 Touch is both a satellite phone and a smart phone seamlessly integrated into one device. Users in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa can take advantage of it's ability to use whatever network available (satellite or cellular) to connect. The Android Nougat operating system and HD LCD touchscreen, make it the only satellite phone on the market that is a true smart phone. It boasts a USB-C connector for charging and data transfer, front and rear facing cameras of 2 and 8 megapixels, built in GPS and a dedicated SOS button. The X5 Touch has a decent battery life of 100 hours in standby mode.
2. Inmarsat IsatPhone 2
The IsatPhone 2 by Inmarsat packs quite a punch for it's attractive price point. It has a built-in GPS that allows users to view their position and send via text or email. It offers tracking and has a dedicated assistance button. The high contrast color display is sunlight viewable, which is crucial for any device made to be used outdoors. It has built in bluetooth, audible minute minder feature, alarm and an eCompass. The 160 hour battery life is the longest lasting in the market.
3. Iridium 9575 Extreme
The Iridium Extreme comes with all the essential feature needed in an off the grid communications tool. It has a dedicated SOS button, and it offers GPS tracking. The 200 character display is daylight readable and backlit. It offers two way texting, it has a integrated speaker phone and 21 supported menu languages. Battery life is 30 hours in standby mode.
4. Iridium 9555
The 9555 is Iridium's base model satellite phone. It has a 200 character illuminated display and illuminated keypad. The handset has a sleek ergonomic design and offers enhanced two-way texting and easy to hear speaker phone. Battery life is 30 hours in standby mode.
5. Globalstar GSP1700
Globalstar's GSP1700 boasts the smallest form factor ever for a satellite phone and at just ounces, it is also the lightest. This economy device can fit any budget, but it lacks most of the extra features that are standard in today's satellite phone market. It has a color display with a simple menu structure. Battery life is 10 hours in standby time when connected to the satellite network.
Cost
Cost is important to consider when making any purchase, and satellite phones are no different. But when looking at cost it is important to evaluate what you are getting for the money spent to assess the true value. When making that evaluation we will consider the durability and features of the device and the availability of satellite coverage each network offers. Subscription fees and usage costs are also important considerations when purchasing a sat phone.
1. Inmarsat IsatPhone 2
The IsatPhone 2 sells for $649. It is not the least expensive phone we offer, but because of the value proposition we have decided to rank it the highest. Features like built-in GPS, 2 way texting, SOS and tracking; plus the global network coverage make it an extremely attractive offer. Minimum cost for full year of service is $440 and typical usage fees for voice calls are $0.99 per minute.
2. Globalstar GSP1700
At $375, the GSP1700 is the by far least expensive phone on the market, but it is important to keep in mind that only refurbished versions of this device are still available. The phone itself lacks a lot of the features the other devices have and the network is regional. Minimum cost for full year of service is $780. This includes 100 minutes per month and additional voice calls are $0.99 per minute.
3. Iridium 9555
The Iridium 9555 standard package is $1,049. Iridium phones cost a bit more than those from Inmarsat and Globalstar, but the value of its brand new, truly global network is a crucial factor to consider. The 9555 offers two-way texting but no tracking or SOS services. Minimum cost for full year of service is $639 and typical usage fees for voice calls are $1.30 per minute.
4. Iridium 9575 Extreme
Iridium 9575 Extreme packages start at $1,295. Even though it is more expensive than its cousin the 9555, we are going to rank it the same due to its additional features of tracking and SOS. Minimum cost for full year of service is $639 and typical usage fees for voice calls are $1.30 per minute.
5. Thuraya X5 Touch
At $1,295 the X5 Touch is tied for the most expense handheld satellite phone. It's Android operating system and dual mode capability make it by far the most feature rich, but the fact that there is no satellite coverage in the entire Western Hemisphere weigh heavily against the value proposition. Minimum cost for full year of service is $348 and typical usage fees for voice calls are $0.99 per minute.