Human Mobile Devices , well have it away as HMD , is launching an interesting novel gadget at CES 2025 . No , it ’s not a raw smartphone . Instead , HMD is announcing the OffGrid — a small hand-held gadget that tot satellite connectivity to virtually any smartphone .

After pairing the OffGrid to your Android telephone set or iPhone and download the OffGrid app , the gimmick equips your smartphone with a few unlike features — including two - way messaging , locating sharing / live location tracking for up to five recipients , check - in messages , and SOS emergency service . The OffGrid allows all this to cultivate via a satellite connection , meaning you’re able to remain colligate even when you ’re out of range of your phone ’s mailman .

In what scenario would you ever need the HMD OffGrid ? HMD has a farseeing lean of examples it thinks the OffGrid would be utilitarian for , such as route trips , outdoor sports , hiking / deal mounting , sailing , etc . In other intelligence , any situation where you require to pass along with friends , do it ones , or emergency services , but do n’t have a honest cell connection .

Texting , check - in message , and location sharing are keen features for heartsease of mind and safety . But what if you ’re in problem and need professional help ? HMD has partnered with Overwatch x Rescue to offer 24/7 multilingual emergency services so you could bespeak search and deliverance teams . Hopefully , you ’ll never postulate to use this part of the OffGrid , but it ’s reassure to eff it ’s there .

The HMD OffGrid matter just 60 Gram and measures 94 millimetre by 60 millimeter by 12 mm . It can easily slip into a pocket or cup of tea , and there ’s a cutout near the top to attach it to a lanyard or rucksack . It has an IP68 water opposition rating and an MIL - STD-810H military - grade durability rating . HMD says the battery lasts for up to three day on a single burster .

If this seems familiar at all to you , that ’s because it sounds exactly like theMotorola Defy Satellite Link . announce at Mobile World Congress in February 2023 , the Motorola Defy Satellite Link had the same pitch : it was a pocket-size gizmo that connects to your earpiece via Bluetooth and enable artificial satellite communicating — perfect for when you need to get in touch with someone , but are out of kitchen range of even cellphone towers .

We were pretty impressed with the Motorola Defy Satellite Linkwhen we used it , but unfortunately , the company behind its satellite organization ( Bullitt)went out of commercial enterprise , and the equipment is no longer uncommitted from Amazon , AT&T , and other retailer . It reportedly still work , but its long - full term future tense is incertain . The HMD OffGrid fundamentally does everything the Motorola Defy Satellite Link did , but with ( hopefully ) a burnished time to come ahead of it .

The HMD OffGrid costs $ 199 in the U.S. and , like most thing in 2025 , it occur with your choice of a couple of subscription . The two programme — HMD Freedom and HMD Unlimited — work out as keep up :

Is the HMD OffGrid worth the upfront cost plus a recurring annual or monthly fee after that ? For some people , probably not . But if you often find yourself in the wilderness or in other site without reliable cell service — and you want a way to last out connected — the OffGrid should be a reliable option .

The HMD OffGrid will be released later this calendar month and be available for leverage on HMD ’s website .