Qualcomm’s X105 modem will keep you connected in elevators and parking garages
What you need to know
- Qualcomm’s new 5G modem is here, and it could power cell phones with the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 chipset.
- The Qualcomm X105 5G Modem-RF offers support for 5G over satellite, NB-IoT backlink messaging, and fast downlink and uplink speeds.
- The chip uses agent AI to improve performance and will have APIs for developers to tap into “predictive intelligence.”
Qualcomm provided travel, food, and lodging for my trip to MWC 2026, but did not contribute to my coverage and did not see this article before publishing it.
Qualcomm is announcing a new flagship modem at MWC 2026, the Qualcomm X105 5G Modem-RF, and the brand thinks it’s good enough to warrant skipping a generation. The Qualcomm X105 succeeds the X85 modem, and the new version is designed for the “agent AI era,” according to the company. Notably, the new modem supports 5G over satellite with additional NR-NTN connectivity, as well as smart cellular backhaul that can improve connectivity in challenging environments.
It is the first modem compatible with 5G Advanced Release 19, which improves communication in the AI era and serves as a step on the way to 6G. New support for the New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) enables fast 5G satellite communications where standard cellular service may not be available. The expanded support for 5G data in addition to voice and messaging support makes using satellite a more efficient alternative for end users.
In addition to NR-NTN support, the Qualcomm X105 modem adds support for Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), an emerging mobile network technology that runs on existing LTE infrastructure. Back to back when the phone may not be able to connect to native networks, such as when there are physical obstacles, such as when in elevators or parking garages. Since NB-IoT technology is a low-power and efficient method, this feature is intended for sending messages and basic communication rather than data or voice support.
The Qualcomm X105 modem uses agent AI to improve mobile performance, and there will be APIs for use by third-party developers to provide better experiences with “predictive intelligence,” according to the company. Speed is improved compared to the Qualcomm X85, as the upgraded modem can hit a downlink speed of 14.8Gbps and an uplink speed of 4.2Gbps.
While we don’t know exactly when the Qualcomm X105 will appear in consumer products, its predecessor – the Qualcomm X85 – is a cellular connection powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It’s possible that the new Qualcomm X105 modem could appear in the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, which could power phones like the Samsung Galaxy S6 or the Samsung Galaxy Ultra6.
Android Central Take
Modems may not be the most exciting part of a smartphone out there, but they are what we rely on every day. After hearing about the announcement of the Qualcomm X105 modem, I am very excited about the return of NB-IoT. I just spent over a year living in an apartment next to a parking garage with zero cell service. If the Wi-Fi network is out, I can forget about communicating with friends and family or doing any work. Sounds like a phone with a Qualcomm X105 would have solved my problems.
This modem fills in the gaps in coverage with 5G over satellite and NB-IoT, so whether you’re off the grid or off the grid, you can still connect with others. That should be something to look forward to in future flagships featuring the Qualcomm X105 modem.
