5G modem: Qualcomm x85 passes 39 comments with 12.5 gbit / s for mediaterk
Image: Qualcomm
In the race for the fastest 5G modem for smartphones, Qualcomm with the x85 and up to 12.5 gbps in the downlink is now trailing MediaTek and their M90 with 12 gbps. Sampling of the new 5G modem has already begun and Qualcomm expects final devices by the second half of the year.
Announcements like the Qualcomm x85 can bring a smile to the face of tech publishers. Short context: Qualcomm had briefed the editorial team on the x85 before the MediaTek M90 announcement, but was specified at 11Gbps downlink at the time of the briefing. Then MediaTek arrived at MWC 2025 with the M90 around the corner, which creates 12 Gbps, and shortly after, there was suddenly talk of 12.5 Gbps up to the x85 updated by Qualcomm.
Advanced 5G modem with up to 12.5 Gbps
The X85 is Qualcomm’s new flagship modem for use in smartphones, tablets, notebooks and other mobile devices. The X85 is also used as part of the new FWA4 Dragonwing platform for fixed wireless access routers. The old “Snapdragon” in the name of the predecessor X80 can no longer be found on the The company’s modems fall exactly in between, so you simply don’t use either name here and the solution simply calls Qualcomm x85.
Qualcomm x85 (image: Qualcomm)
Analogous to the x80, the x85 is specified according to 3GPP Release 17 and 18 and supports advanced 5G as an intermediate step from 5G to 6G. After up to 10 Gbit / s in the downlink, the x85 now supports up to 12.5 GBIT / s in the downlink and pulls at least the data sheet to the MediaTek M90. However, it must always be noted that a lot of spectrum for more bandwidth must be merged for these recordings, which in practice are not found in mobile networks. In addition, millimeter wave spectrum (MMWAVE) is required for this, which is not offered in public networks in Germany. 400 MHz for the uplink
Reduced only to the so-called sub-6 GHz spectrum, which is also used in this country, a maximum bandwidth of 400 MHz can be agreed with the x85 on six frequency blocks (6CA). In the 5G uplink, the maximum of the new modem is 3.7 Gbit / s. However, this is also information of a theoretical nature, and no single German provider is available 400 MHz.
Ready for the GSM-R successor FRMCS
The X85 is also prepared by the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), the successor to GSM-R for communication in rail traffic systems, so that 2G to 5G can be changed there.
Faster AI-Co processor
For the integrated AI processor, Qualcomm has increased the inference by 30%. The processor should receive feedback from the connection channel and then make optimizations. The chip controls the beam shape specifically for MMWAVE, but AI functions also include network selection and antenna coordination. Qualcomm also wants to optimize data traffic when using dual SIM and voice quality when hobbying.
The X85 can be used as an independent solution, i.e. as its own chips in addition to a processor or as an integrated solution, completely integrated into a SOC. Qualcomm did not want to comment on this in detail yet, as it would already anticipate an additional announcement of the year. The Snapdragon X80 is used, for example, in Snapdragon 8 Elite, for example, it is planned for the x85 of the successor to the elite 8. Sampling has already started, says Qualcomm, final devices with x85 can be expected for the second half of the year.
Dragonwing FWA Gen 4 Elite builds on x85
This also includes the Dragonwing FWA Gen 4 Elite platform, a complete solution for fixed cable access routers with mobile radio and WLAN. FWA is a “fixed connection” implemented by mobile phone and is usually used if the last mile to the user cannot be implemented with copper or fiber optics.
Qualcomm Dragonwing FWA Gen 4 Elite Platform
The FWA4 platform can also access the sub-6 GHz and MMWAVE spectrum via the X85 and aggregate both frequency ranges. WI is based on this for the user, whereby all standards up to Wi-Fi 7 are integrated, alternatively a connection can be established via Ethernet with 10 Gbit / s. According to Qualcomm, the platform is now available and is already being delivered.
Techastuce received information about this article from Qualcomm under NDA in advance and as part of an event in Barcelona, Spain. The costs of arrival, departure and three accommodations were borne by Qualcomm. There was no influence from the manufacturer or an obligation to report. The only requirement of the NDA was the first possible publication time.
Topics: 5G Mobile Funeral MWC 2025 Qualcomm Snapdragon Smartphones Source: Qualcomm
Sarah tracks innovations in smartphones, evaluating their performance, design, and key features.
