Qualcomm’s Latest 5G Modem Blends More Airwaves to Boost Upload Speeds

Qualcomm today revealed the Snapdragon X75 Modem-RF System, its top-tier connectivity platform for high-end smartphones and other devices.

The X75 replaces the X70, which appears in phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. This new modem is the first to support 5G Advanced and other capabilities that will improve not only speeds, but connection strength in phones before the end of the year.

Multiple technologies are at play in the X75 and Qualcomm has found ways to make them work together to improve performance. For example, the X75 supports 10-carrier aggregation for mmWave 5G, which means it can bundle up to 10 separate slices of spectrum and make them behave like a single pipe.

This larger pipe means faster speeds. It can do the same for up to five channels of sub-6GHz 5G, which supercharges upload speeds by as much as 50%. In today’s 5G networks, download speeds remain far faster than upload speeds. The modem supports more global 5G bands than ever, meaning more people in more places will gain access to high-performing 5G.

Qualcomm simplified the transceiver architecture, which now controls both mmWave and sub-6GHz, and is smaller and more power efficient. Moreover, a second-generation AI processor increases performance by up to 250% compared to the X70. Qualcomm says the latest mmWave antenna modules are simpler and smaller, which leads to a smaller footprint for the system and easier integration with other components.

In addition to speed, one of the real-world problems this will solve is finding 5G cells and connecting to them quickly. This will be particularly useful for people emerging from spaces such as parking garages, elevators, subway stations, airports, and other areas where 5G doesn’t necessarily permeate. AI-based beam management and location accuracy improvements do the heavy lifting here.

(Credit: Qualcomm)

The Snapdragon X75 brings broader support for dual-SIM devices. It supports simultaneous 4G/5G data connections on two separate SIM cards in the same phone. This gives people who travel frequently more flexibility in managing their different accounts.

Last, the modem ties in support for Qualcomm’s recently announced Snapdragon Satellite service, which will help smartphone owners contact satellites in areas where cellular service is not available.

In addition to the X75, Qualcomm announced the Fixed Wireless Access Platform Gen 3. Powered by the X75, it’s meant to improve services such as 5G-powered in-home internet. It features dynamic antenna steering to help people install systems themselves, RF sensing to turn on indoor mmWave, tri-band Wi-Fi 7 for top speeds, and support for dual SIM cards.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 Modem-RF System will be integrated into its unannounced Snapdragon 8 chipset (likely the 8 Gen 3) and will reach phones just before the end of 2023.