CES 2025 | Palm-sized HMD OffGrid brings two-way satellite messaging to any smartphone

The iPhone 14 was the first smartphone to feature Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN or, in simple terms, satellite) communications, and was quickly followed by the Pixel 9 series. Now, apparently, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is slated to get the feature too. But what if you have a different phone, and aren’t looking to spend a fortune on a dedicated satellite communicator for your next remote adventure?

Well, the device you might be looking for was just launched at CES 2015 and, perhaps fittingly, it comes from HMD—the final resting place of the Nokia brand. After all, for so many of us, a Nokia phone was our first real experience of being connected while out and about.

The HMD OffGrid is a small gadget that connects to satellites over the L band spectrum, while being paired with your phone via Bluetooth. This allows your phone to send text messages back and forth, share live location data and contact emergency services with an SOS service. The ‘check in’ feature also lets you send pre-written messages to your contacts with a button press. Recipients need not have the OffGrid app installed to receive messages—only to text back.

The device is small: 3.7 x 2.4 x 0.47 inches, and weighing just 60 g (2.1 oz). It’s also rugged; HMD claims military grade durability (MIL-STD-810H), although such claims should typically be taken with a pinch of salt. The built-in 600mAh battery should last about three days.

There is a subscription required to use the features, however. HMD’s Unlimited Plan charges $15/month or $140/year (plus a one-time activation fee of $10) for unlimited messages, check-in, and SOS services. The Freedom Plan, at $80/year, limits texts (including check-ins) to 350. The SOS service is included in both plans, and location tracking can be added to either plan at any time for an extra $6/month.

Starting in January, the HMD OffGrid will be available in the US, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, with more territories getting added through the year. You can order it from HMD’s website now for $199. If you can stretch your budget, though, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is available on Amazon for $299, while the older inReach Messenger is currently discounted to $235.