Qualcomm has unveiled its latest and most powerful 5G modem-RF system, the Snapdragon X80, at the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona. The Snapdragon X80 is the world’s first 5G modem with fully integrated NB-NTN satellite communications support, which eliminates the need for a dedicated chip for satellite connectivity. The Snapdragon X80 is also equipped with a future-ready architecture to support 5G Advanced, the next era of 5G connectivity in the global 5G roadmap. With a peak download speed of 10 Gbps and a peak upload speed of 3.5 Gbps, the Snapdragon X80 sets a new standard for high-speed connectivity.
The Snapdragon X80 is not only fast, but also smart and flexible. It features a dedicated AI tensor accelerator that powers the Qualcomm 5G AI Suite Gen 3, which intelligently enhances data speeds, quality of service, latency, coverage, and power efficiency. It also supports all global 5G bands, from 0.6 to 41 GHz, and offers unmatched spectrum flexibility with 6x carrier aggregation for sub-6GHz bands, as well as switched uplink across FDD and TDD. The Snapdragon X80 is expected to be available in the second half of 2024, and will power the next generation of 5G devices across key verticals, including smartphones, mobile broadband, automotive, compute, XR, industrial IoT, fixed wireless access, and 5G private networks.
Next-Gen Mobile Modems
Qualcomm Unveiled its Latest 5G Modem for Smartphone OEMs
Trend Themes
1. Integrated Satellite Communications - The Snapdragon X80 features fully integrated NB-NTN satellite communications support, eliminating the need for a dedicated chip for satellite connectivity.
2. 5G AI Suite Gen 3 - The Qualcomm 5G AI Suite Gen 3 intelligently enhances data speeds, quality of service, latency, coverage, and power efficiency.
3. Future-ready 5G Architecture - The Snapdragon X80 is equipped with a future-ready architecture to support 5G Advanced, setting a new standard for high-speed connectivity.
Industry Implications
1. Telecommunications - The next-generation 5G modem-RF systems present opportunities for telecommunications companies to leverage integrated satellite communications and adopt future-ready 5G architectures.
2. Artificial Intelligence - The integration of AI tensor accelerator in the Qualcomm 5G AI Suite Gen 3 offers disruptive innovation opportunities for the artificial intelligence industry to enhance data speeds, quality of service, and power efficiency in 5G devices.
3. Mobile Technology - The Snapdragon X80's peak download speed of 10 Gbps and peak upload speed of 3.5 Gbps create avenues for the mobile technology sector to capitalize on high-speed connectivity and spectrum flexibility.