In the course of the Cellular World Congress 2025, Qualcomm unveiled its new X85 5G modem with an built-in 5G AI processor. The corporate says this chip is “designed to ship the high-performance 5G connectivity required for hybrid and agentic AI experiences.”
Qualcomm revealed that this new X85 5G modem options 5G mmWave help, 400Mhz obtain bandwidth within the Sub-6Ghz spectrum, and satellite tv for pc connectivity, none of that are present in Apple’s C1.
With obtain speeds of as much as 12.5 Gbps and three.7 Gbps uploads, Qualcomm says this 5G modem can mix a number of frequencies from totally different carriers. Extra apparently, the corporate’s CEO Cristiano Amon additionally referred to as out the distinction between Apple’s first 5G modem and what Qualcomm’s choice can do:
“It’s the primary modem that has a lot AI, it truly will increase the vary of efficiency of the modem so the modem can cope with weaker indicators,” Amon advised CNBC. “What that can do will set an enormous delta between the efficiency of premium Android gadgets and iOS gadgets if you examine what Qualcomm can do versus what Apple is doing.”
Presently, Apple’s iPhone 16e is the one machine with the C1 chip, the corporate’s first 5G modem. This iteration nonetheless lacks a number of the premium advantages obtainable with the iPhone 16 Professional and Qualcomm’s newest 5G modem. Nonetheless, Bloomberg reviews that Apple has an formidable three-year plan to meet up with its present companion.
At this second, it’s unclear if Apple plans to meet up with present expertise or if it thinks that in solely three years, will probably be capable of compete head-to-head with Qualcomm. Now, Apple can solely declare that its 5G modem is extra power-efficient, however will this be sufficient to ditch Qualcomm?
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman revealed that Apple is already engaged on a second-generation 5G modem that would energy the long run iPhone 18 fashions. By 2026, this chip would lastly add mmWave help, obtain speeds of 6 gigabits per second, six-carrier aggregation when utilizing Sub-6 5G, and eight-carrier aggregation when utilizing mmWave.
When the iPhone reaches its twentieth anniversary in 2027, the corporate hopes to high Qualcomm with its modem efficiency and AI options. Apple additionally goals to construct help for next-generation satellite tv for pc networks and finally merge its 5G modem with its essential processor, creating the final word singular cellular element.
