As we continue the transition from LTE to 5G, Qualcomm has just announced the first 5G modem capable of reaching data speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second.
Devices presenting Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chips, which use a Qualcomm X60 modem capable of reaching 7.5 Gbps, are just starting to hit the market. Qualcomm’s Next Generation X65 Modem is taking 5G speeds even further, offering the kind of transfer rates that previously required wired infrastructure like Ethernet or fiber broadband based on optics.
Key features that allow the X65 to reach 10 gigabit speeds include support for a new fourth generation QTM545 antenna, a wide range of carrier aggregation techniques (including FDD and TDD), AI antenna tuning and the new Smart Transmit 2.0 from Qualcomm, which uses modem-to-antenna recognition to better optimize upload speeds and coverage across multiple 5G bands.
In addition, thanks to the upgradeable architecture, Qualcomm should be better equipped to update the X65 with updated versions of the 3GPP specifications, to potentially increase speeds even further in the coming years. And because the X65 is designed for use on devices worldwide, it supports the mmWave and sub-6Ghz bands used here on the States along with the 5G bands used in other parts of the globe.
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Meanwhile, to help prevent the X65 modem from drawing too much electricity (5G tends to consume battery), Qualcomm added a “state-of-the-art energy tracking solution” and PowerSave 2.0, which uses new low-energy protocols, such as the connection mode activation signal to help increase energy efficiency. And in case 10 GThe bps speeds are exaggerated for your needs. Qualcomm is also introducing a cheaper version of the X65 on the X62 5G modem.
But it is important to mention that while the X65 5G can handle up to 10 Gbps, even under ideal conditions, current 5G speeds reach around 1.5-2 Gbps, with speeds dropping rapidly the further you move away from a nearby tower. What if you are counting on 5G below 6 GHz, which has better range, but much higher speeds, you will not get close to 1 Gbps. So while it’s nice to have technology that can support wireless data extremely fast, it will be a while before we have 5G networks that can take full advantage of Qualcomm’s new modems.