Apple recently introduced its custom C1 modem with the launch of the iPhone 16e, which has received positive reviews from the tech community. Even though Apple's chip is nowhere near the level of Qualcomm's in terms of performance, the efficiency of the modem is far greater which contributes to the battery life of the device. At MWC 2025, Qualcomm announced its latest X85 5G Modem-RF for Android, which features staggering download speeds of up to 12.5 Gbps and upload speeds of 3.7 Gbps.
Qualcomm has announced its new X85 modem for Android phones with download speeds as high as 12.5 Gbps
Qualcomm's X80 modem, in comparison, delivers 10 Gbps of peak download speeds and up to 3.5 Gbps of upload speeds. The X85 is the company's eighth-generation 5G modem-to-antenna solution and fourth-generation AI-powered 5G connectivity platform, supporting 5G mmWave, sub-6 GHz, and Satellite technologies.
Compared to its predecessor, the X85 boasts a 5G AI processor with a dedicated tensor accelerator, enabling 30 percent faster AI inference. This translates to lower latency, wider coverage, and greater power efficiency, which will ensure a responsive and reliable 5G experience across different conditions. In practical terms, the improvements will bolster smoother gameplay, clear voice quality within apps, and seamless WiFi to cellular conversions. You can check out more details about the modem on the company's official website.
The X85 introduces several industry-first innovations, delivering a more seamless and efficient 5G experience. With 3CC + 1CC Turbo DSDA (Dual SIM Dual Active), users can stay connected to two networks at the same time, making it easier to manage personal and professional communications without hiccups and additional steps. The modem combines 400MHz bandwidth in Sub-6GHz with 1024 QAM to boost download speeds and make the network more efficient compared to the current iteration. What this means is that the modem will deliver faster downloads, smoother streaming, and a reliable connection, even in areas with more network traffic.
“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.”
The new Qualcomm X85 modem is oriented toward Android-powered handsets, but Apple could strike a deal with the company to provide customized versions of the chip for its future variants of the iPhone. Apple will continue to use Qualcomm-made modems in the coming years as the C1 modems will be exclusively available on the standard and the budget iPhone variants, such as the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to debut later this year. Apart from smartphones, the modem is also compatible with PCs, mixed-reality handsets, and automotive.
Qualcomm's latest X85 modem is also supported by major carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, KDDI, and NTT DOCOMO, which will boost the adoption. We will share more details on Qualcomm's X85 modem, so be sure to stick around for more details.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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