Qualcomm’s new phone modem, the Snapdragon X75, could address the performance and reliability issues that have plagued 5G technology. While 5G is more widely available than ever before, its inconsistent performance and reliability have left many underwhelmed. The Snapdragon X75 is the first phone modem to be ready for 5G Advanced, a cellular standard that promises improved throughput, coverage, reliability, and traffic management. The new modem is expected to deliver meaningful speed boosts, fewer drop-offs, and better performance on busy networks.
Although 5G Advanced is not due to be released until 2024, the Snapdragon X75 offers improvements over earlier chips. Qualcomm claims that the modem will deliver longer battery life and more consistent performance in challenging environments such as elevators and subway trains. Additionally, the modem can handle 5G/4G dual data on two SIM cards simultaneously and supports Snapdragon Satellite, resulting in better upload speeds.
Samples of the Snapdragon X75 chips are already available to manufacturers, and products featuring the new modem are expected to be launched in the second half of this year. Given that Qualcomm’s modems are already the go-to choice for Snapdragon-powered Android phones and are currently used in iPhones, the new modem is expected to become the norm.
However, it remains to be seen how long it will take carriers to adopt 5G Advanced, and when consumers will see the benefits. While the Snapdragon X75 lays the groundwork for adoption, it may be a while before users can take advantage of the service. Nevertheless, the new modem’s arrival could mean that many consumers already have an Advanced-compatible phone when 5G Advanced eventually becomes available.
