New Motorola defy smartphone with satellite messaging unveiled at MWC 2023.
Bullitt and Motorola debut the first rugged smartphone using the ‘Bullitt Satellite Messenger’ service, with advanced two-way satellite messaging technology, location sharing, and SOS assistance.
Bullitt Group, the innovative British mobile phone manufacturer, in partnership with Motorola Mobility, a Lenovo company, has unveiled two new devices in the Motorola defy rugged range that incorporates its unique satellite-to-mobile messaging service. The Motorola defy 2, a rugged smartphone, and motorola defy satellite link, a Bluetooth device that provides satellite connectivity to any smartphone (iOS 14 or later, Android 10 or later) are designed for anyone that has ever been frustrated by a lack of cell coverage – whether traveling or participating in outdoor activities or just in their daily lives.
Motorola and Bullitt have reaffirmed their commitment to innovation by integrating Bullitt Satellite Messenger into the new motorola defy range, showcased by both companies at MWC 2023. The motorola defy 2 is an advanced 5G rugged Android smartphone. Fast and responsive, it can cope with the stress of day-to-day life and outdoor adventures, while providing unique always-on connectivity.
“The defy range of rugged devices have broad appeal, from outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers to consumers who just want an ultra-durable phone,” said Dave Carroll, Vice President, Strategic Brand Partnerships at Motorola. “Adding assured connectivity with two-way satellite messaging broadens the appeal of the motorola defy 2 to anyone who finds themselves outside of traditional messaging coverage. We look forward to bringing the motorola defy 2 to a new segment of mobile phone users in the coming months.”
“We are delighted to be working with Motorola to bring another innovative solution to the defy range. Adding satellite connectivity to the defy 2 smartphone will give our core customers improved peace of mind, while the motorola defy satellite link, combined with the Bullitt Satellite Messenger service, brings accessible and affordable satellite messaging to everybody’s current smartphone. This is the definition of democratizing satellite communications and ensures customers are able to be in constant communication whenever they need it.”
said Dave Floyd, Bullitt Co-Founder.
In addition to offering satellite connectivity and 5G, the motorola defy 2 boasts an extremely robust design. The phone is built to survive drops and falls and is a lab and real-world-tested to heights of up to 1.8 meters, including repeated drops onto a steel plate in every orientation. It is impervious to dust, sand, and dirt ingress, and highly waterproof, submersion tested to depths down to 5 meters and subjected to high-pressure water jets, earning the product IP68 and IP69K ratings. And it is fully resistant to the elements. Put through rigorous Mil-Spec 810H testing, motorola defy 2 has been tested in high and low-temperature extremes, in humid environments, in salt mist conditions, and has been put through vibration and tumble tests.
Featuring a hygienic device design, the motorola defy 2 can be cleaned and sanitized with soap and water, or even alcohol wipes without issue, and it includes Bullitt’s Hygiene+ technology – with all external surfaces of the device manufactured with materials blended with antimicrobial, antibacterial additives.
Despite its robustness, the motorola defy 2 is slim and pocketable and includes a large 6.6” FHD+ display, with 20:9 an aspect ratio and up to 120Hz refresh rate. It also includes a large 5000mAh battery, providing up to 2 days of power, and support for 15W fast charging and Qi wireless charging. It is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 930 octa-core 2.2GHz processor, with 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage – expandable with MicroSD cards. And it includes a triple camera array (50MP main sensor, 8MP ultrawide sensor, 2MP macro sensor) on the rear and 8MP front-facing camera. Launching on Android 12, the motorola defy 2 will receive two OS updates – and 5 years of security patches.
“Satellite technology for any smartphone is the next big step in mobile connectivity, and what MediaTek has delivered with its stand-alone, standards-based satellite communications chip. We successfully worked with Bullitt, integrating our 3GPP NTN technology and chipset into the world’s first commercially available devices with two-way satellite messaging,” said JC Hsu, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of MediaTek’s wireless communications business unit. “It’s a significant advancement for remote users and emergency services, but this technology also paves the way for other unique smartphone satellite communication and connectivity markets.”
motorola defy satellite link: a robust Bluetooth accessory with Bullitt Satellite Connectivity
The motorola defy satellite link is a compact, lightweight, Bluetooth accessory with a handy attachment loop that allows any Android or iOS device to connect to the Bullitt Satellite Messenger service and utilize the full functionality of the application, including true two-way messaging over satellite, as well as location sharing and SOS assistance.
The tough, pocket-friendly device has also passed Mil-Spec 810H testing and is waterproof and dustproof with an IP68 rating. It has a 600mAh battery, providing sufficient battery life for multiple days of use. The design includes physical SOS and location ‘Check In’ buttons, allowing it to offer some functions even when apart from its paired smartphone.
Designed to give any smartphone the power of satellite connectivity, the motorola defy satellite link is an advanced satellite hotspot device that ensures peace of mind – wherever your next adventure takes you.
Bullitt Satellite Messenger: Featuring direct-to-satellite mobile phone technology for two-way satellite messaging
Bullitt Satellite Messenger is the first 3GPP standards-based satellite NTN or ‘direct-to-device’ service. The new motorola defy range will use the service to access existing geostationary satellites, providing affordable and continuous coverage internationally over existing, well-established infrastructure. With this new technology, customers can message over satellite, as long as they have a clear view of the sky.
The service works by utilizing the motorola defy 2’s hardware, or the motorola defy satellite link hardware connected to an iOS or Android smartphone, along with the Bullitt Satellite Messenger app, to send messages. It will first try to connect via Wi-Fi or cellular as normal, and if neither is found to be available, it will connect via satellite. Recipients without the Bullitt Satellite Messenger app can receive a message as a simple SMS to their existing phone and are invited to download the associated Android or iOS app to respond.
The cost of the messages sent or received over satellite will be deducted from the satellite messaging subscriber’s plan with no cost to the recipient. There is no charge to either party when sending messages over an internet connection.
SOS Assist – with 24/7 access to emergency response centers provided by FocusPoint International – is available free for the first year at launch with the motorola defy 2 and is included in all plans. Messaging plans start from as little as $4.99/ month, with other flexible and heavier usage plans also available.
Pricing and availability
The motorola defy 2 will be available from Q2 2023 from selected operators across North America, Latin America, and Canada. Priced from $599 including 12 months of SOS Assist.
The motorola defy satellite link will be available from Q2 2023 across international retailers, for local availability visit www.motorolarugged.com. Priced from $99 for the device only. A bundle including 12 months subscription to the Essentials Messaging service plan (up to 30 two-way messages per month and SOS Assist) will start at $149.