Qualcomm Debuts World's First 10 Gigabit 5G Modem, Destined for 2022 iPhones

Qualcomm today introduced the Snapdragon X65, the world's first 10 Gigabit 5G modem and antenna system for smartphones, enabling theoretical data speeds up to 10 gigabits per second. Apple will likely use the Snapdragon X65 in 2022 iPhones.

qualcomm snapdragon x65 10 gigabit 5g
While real-world download speeds will likely remain far below the peak of 10 gigabits per second, devices equipped with the Snapdragon X65 should see faster 5G speeds overall. The modem has many other benefits, too, including improved power efficiency, enhanced coverage for both mmWave and sub-6 GHz bands, and support for all global commercialized mmWave frequencies, including the new n259 (41 GHz) band.

As with the previous-generation Snapdragon X60, the X65 can aggregate data from mmWave and sub-6GHz bands simultaneously to achieve an optimal combination of high-speed and low-latency coverage. The modem is paired with Qualcomm's new fourth-generation mmWave antenna module for extended mmWave coverage and power efficiency.

mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, making it best suited for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas. mmWave support on iPhone 12 models is limited to the United States, but rumors suggest that iPhone 13 models may support mmWave in additional countries.

In 2019, Apple and Qualcomm settled a legal battle and reached a multiyear chipset supply agreement, paving the way for Apple to use Qualcomm's 5G modems, starting with the Snapdragon X55 in iPhone 12 models. Beyond that, a court document from the settlement revealed that Apple will likely use the Snapdragon X60 modem for 2021 iPhones, followed by the Snapdragon X65 in 2022 iPhones.

The Snapdragon X65 could be the last Qualcomm modem used in iPhones, as Barclays analysts and multiple other sources have forecasted that Apple will switch to its own in-house 5G modem for iPhones by 2023.

Related Roundups: iPhone 13, iPhone 14
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

laudern Avatar
34 months ago
Happy Gilmore accomplished that feat no more than an hour ago.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
svanstrom Avatar
34 months ago
Practically speaking I need those speeds in my iPhone about as much as I need a smaller battery.

Anyone here that actually have a legit reason for such a speedy iPhone?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BuffaloTF Avatar
34 months ago

Practically speaking I need those speeds in my iPhone about as much as I need a smaller battery.

Anyone here that actually have a legit reason for such a speedy iPhone?
I see this moreso about freeing up the airwaves quicker to be able to serve more people before it slows. Using round numbers for ease... if my download takes 1 second instead of 10, a very simple view of this says 9 others can occupy my remaining 9 seconds at the same level of service that I had been given.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xxray Avatar
34 months ago

Practically speaking I need those speeds in my iPhone about as much as I need a smaller battery.

Anyone here that actually have a legit reason for such a speedy iPhone?
We’ve consumed the same amount of data online since the 90s. All of these speed increases are such a waste.

/s
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TarJac333 Avatar
34 months ago
Hmm.... I can already imagine it now..
2021: Huawei with Snapdragon X65
2021: Samsung with Snapdragon X65
2021: OnePlus with Snapdragon X65
2021: Huawei with Snapdragon X65
2021: Google Pixel with Snapdragon X65
2022: iPhone with Snapdragon X65: "Innovation"
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
34 months ago

Practically speaking I need those speeds in my iPhone about as much as I need a smaller battery.

Anyone here that actually have a legit reason for such a speedy iPhone?
On MR, need doesn’t necessarily enter into the equation. :D
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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