Qualcomm Claims New X85 Modem Creates 'Huge Delta' in Performance Versus Apple

Qualcomm believes its latest X85 5G modem will set a "huge delta" between the performance of high-end Android devices and Apple devices, largely thanks to its AI-powered features.

qualcomm x85 modem
Announced at this year's ongoing Mobile World Conference 2025 in Barcelona, Qualcomm's next-generation X85 modem supports 5G mmWave, 400MHz download bandwidth in the Sub-6GHz spectrum with 1024-QAM modulation for better data speeds, and Satellite connectivity.

The X85 can deliver peak download speeds of up to 12.5Gbps and peak upload speeds of up to 3.7Gbps, according to Qualcomm. In addition, the modem can combine multiple frequencies from different carriers to deliver better performance.

In terms of AI features, its AI-powered Data Traffic Engine is said to be able to reduce latency and improve speed and efficiency.

"It's the first modem that has so much AI, it actually increases the range of performance of the modem so the modem can deal with weaker signals," Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon told CNBC.

"What that will do will set a huge delta between the performance of premium Android devices, and iOS devices, when you compare what Qualcomm can do versus what Apple is doing."

Apple claims its new C1 modem, which recently debuted in the entry-level iPhone 16e, is the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever, contributing to the iPhone 16e having the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone ever. The company also says the C1 is up to 25% more power efficient than Qualcomm modems in other iPhones. Third-party scientific testing appears to back up Apple's claims.

The C1 modem lacks support for ultra-fast mmWave 5G technology. This means users won't have access to the exceptionally fast speeds that mmWave technology can provide in specific locations such as stadiums, airports, and dense urban areas. However, Apple says the C1 is just the "start" and that it is going to keep improving the technology with each successive generation. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said the iPhone 17 Air will also be equipped with the C1 modem.


Apple's current agreement with Qualcomm extends through 2026, giving Apple ample time to perfect its modem technology while it has access to Qualcomm's modems for its premium iPhone models. The Qualcomm X85 5G modem is likely to debut on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip, which is expected to arrive in October 2025.

Tags: C1, Qualcomm

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Top Rated Comments

Wizec Avatar
4 weeks ago
To be honest, the “performance” aspect of mobile radios feels over and done with to me. In my little hometown, on my iPhone 16 Pro, I have access to 5G UW, and clock speeds of over 800Mb/s.

I don’t need that. I don’t know a soul that does.

What I would really like? A modem that gets 200Mb/s, and just sips the battery. Or, give me a toggle switch to put just the modem into low power mode. I don’t want my whole phone in low power mode, but give the speed demons what they want, and a low power mode for people like me who just need a little GPS and music?

(Edited for clarity)
Score: 61 Votes (Like | Disagree)
attila Avatar
4 weeks ago
What the heck is an "AI powered" modem?! This term is buzzed out of relevance by now.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mazz0 Avatar
4 weeks ago
I expect that's true. It is Apple's first go after all.

Gotta say, I don't really see the use-cases for this. It's already more than fast enough for web browsing and streaming media, what else are you doing with a phone or tethered device?

Edit: like @Wizec says - power efficiency seems far more important.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MRSugarD Avatar
4 weeks ago
Journalists were briefed regarding the X85 having 11gbit download speeds before the official announcement. Mediatek released in the meantime its new modem with 12gbit download speeds and suddenly Qualcomm‘s new modem can do 12,5gbit?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
andiwm2003 Avatar
4 weeks ago

To be honest, the “performance” aspect of mobile radios feels over and done with to me. In my little hometown, on my iPhone 16 Pro, I have access to 5G UW, and clock speeds of over 800Mb/s.

I don’t need that. I don’t know a soul that does.

What I would really like? A modem that gets 200Mb/s, and sips battery like there’s no tomorrow. Or, give me a toggle switch to put it alone into low power mode. I don’t want my whole phone in low power mode, but give the speed demons what they want, and a low power mode for people like me who just need a little GPS and music?
Thanks for that. I always wondered what I'm missing. I'm in Boston/Cambridge and our internet and mobile internet is as fast as it goes. But I never felt that my old iPhone is the limiting factor. Usually it's somewhere serverside from the providers of the websites or shoddy programming of the website or apps. Maybe there is some latency factor that matters but unless you game I don't see what that would be. So even if the qualcom is 10% faster who cares. Power efficiency, reliability and small size (integrated into cpu) for a mobile device are way more important.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HJM.NL Avatar
4 weeks ago
Apple will end up as Atari. The negt gen X elite 8 (for mobile) is already faster than the A18 pro. Qualcomm is specialized in making modem chips and I’ve little faith in Apple to surpass them.

On the software side Apple is also years behind competitors. By the time Apple is ready releasing a working smart Siri it will be 2026 at the earliest. At that time I’m curious what the competition is capable of.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)