Qualcomm Announces X85 5G Modem with Peak 12.5 Gbps Downloads

At MWC 2025, Qualcomm announced the X85 5G Modem-RF for Android, with peak download speeds of up to 12.5 Gbps and 3.7 Gbps uploads. 

In comparison, 2024’s X80 offers 10 Gbps peak downloads and 3.5 Gbps upload. The X85 is Qualcomm’s “eighth-generation 5G modem-to-antenna solution and fourth-generation AI-powered 5G connectivity platform” across 5G mmWave, Sub-6 GHz, and Satellite.

A 5G AI Processor with its dedicated tensor accelerator has 30% faster AI inference (compared to the previous generation) for improvements across latency, coverage, and power efficiency. That can translate to smoother mobile gaming, clearer voice quality in calling apps, and smoother Wi-Fi to cellular transfers.

Other “world’s first” capabilities include:

• 3CC + 1CC Turbo DSDA (Dual SIM Dual Active) 
• Downlink carrier aggregation with 400MHz bandwidth in Sub-6GHz with 1024 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) 
• 3.7 Gbps uploads with 4-layer UL carrier aggregation

It’s primarily aimed at Android smartphones, but the Qualcomm X85 is also “engineered to support 5G Advanced capabilities” in PCs, automotive, XR, and other form factors. 

• “The new Qualcomm X85 is designed for mobile AI and is the perfect match for Android and the agentic experiences of the Gemini era,” said Seang Chau, VP and GM of Android Platform. “This modem delivers breakthrough 5G speeds, network reliability and intelligent connectivity to Android phones, cementing Android and Qualcomm Technologies’ leadership in the mobile AI world.”

Qualcomm also touted partner support from T-Mobile, Verizon, China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, KDDI, and NTT DOCOMO.

Besides the speed improvements, Qualcomm says to expect “improved network reliability in congested areas, extended battery life, and enhanced location accuracy” with the X85. 

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