This is a very short sided view. Something like this could save a bunch of lives of hikers because it means you are always connected when you need to be in case you get injured or lost.
Satellite phones have existed for decades. They are expensive and data speeds are slow but if you are talking about for emergency use then a satellite phone is smaller, cheaper, and more practical than Starlink.
If you need high speed data in the middle on nowhere then Starlink is great
For emergency communications (i.e. calling SAR or maybe getting a doctor's opinion on whether you should), satellite messengers do just fine, and they're much cheaper. Newer iPhones even have this built-in!
Data speeds are measured in a handful of bits per second, though.
That's an unrealistic view. It's unlikely. Firstly because we already have well defined systems for that which are tested in the field and are specifically designed for it and emergency routing (InReach for example). Secondly a lot of places people tend to go backpacking have limited search and rescue capabilities so you're not guaranteed a rescue anyway. Thirdly a lot of places it'll get stolen before it gets used.
It's a toy and another damn thing to carry around and a load of marketing around it to sell it as a suitable replacement for proper kit.
It isn't designed exclusively for bagpackers. That is only mentioned on the Verge article, while if you look on the starlink page you will find no such reference: https://www.starlink.com/specifications?spec=5
This is useful for working away from home somewhere on the mountains. Where you have a cabin, have some proper solar panels setup and doesn't make sense (finantially-wise) to keep a starlink installed permanently there. The other option is car-travelling, not everything needs to be solar and using electricity from a gasoline car works great while using little space on the storage.
It isn't meant as side partner for your walking hikes.
You're missing out on the second order effects of SAR being called out and putting themselves at risk because someone (who probably shouldn't have been out there anyway) issued a distress call.
Ty Gagne wrote a book about the death of Kate Matrosova in the White Mountains of New Hampshire[0]. The search and rescue effort took place in absolutely harrowing conditions. That was enabled by the fact that she had a Spot/InReach/equivalent.
People backstopping their safety on extremely limited SAR resources and an assumption of being able to get them deployed in the first place is not an overall improvement in the safety of hikers or the people who stick their necks out getting them out of trouble.
If you need high speed data in the middle on nowhere then Starlink is great