Snapdragon X85 5G Modem Increases Peak Download & Upload Speeds, Provides Sub-6 GHz And mmWave Connectivity

By Shikhar Mehrotra • Updated On Mar 3, 2025

Like
Comment
Share

TL; DR

The Snapdragon X85 5G RF system will power the Android flagships for 2026. It increases the peak download speed to 12.5 Gbps.
The modem also supports 10,000+ band configurations for enhanced global support and the first AI-powered Data Traffic Engine for improved mobile gaming.

Qualcomm, the leading 5G modem solutions provider for OEMs, has launched a new RF system for smartphones: the Snapdragon X85 5G modem. The latest-generation modem comes at a time when Apple is gearing up to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm (the C1 sub-system on the iPhone 16e being the first step toward that).

However, the Snapdragon X85 5G RF system will surely power the Android flagships for 2026, including the ones from manufacturers like iQOO, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Samsung (as the current flagship iterations from these brands also feature a Snapdragon X series modem). Without any further ado, let’s discuss the latest Qualcomm mode in more detail.

Also Read: Poco M7 5G Launched in India for INR 9999: First Sale Via Flipkart

Snapdragon X85 5G: Connectivity And Download/Upload Speeds

Snapdragon X85 5G Modem Increases Peak Download & Upload Speeds, Provides Both Sub-6 GHz And mmWave Connectivity

The eight-generation 5G modem-to-antenna solution and fourth-generation AI-powered platform set new wireless connectivity standards for the Android ecosystem. The platform supports both sub-6 GHz mmWave 5G connectivity, making it a versatile chip for use in markets around the world.

The Snapdragon X85 5G sub-system increases the peak download speed to 12.5 Gbps. This is a 25% improvement over the 10 Gbps peak download speed of the Snapdragon X75 5G, a modem that powers 5G cellular data on phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the OnePlus 13, and the iPhone 16 series (except the iPhone 16e).

Also Read: Xiaomi 15 Ultra & Xiaomi 15 launched globally: India Launch date Confirmed

Snapdragon X85 5G Features AI-Powered Data Traffic Engine

The upload speed has gone up from 3.5 Gbps on the X75 to 3.7 Gbps on the X85. The modem also supports 10,000+ band configurations for enhanced global support and the first AI-powered Data Traffic Engine for improved mobile gaming and smooth video or voice calling. It is also the first (as claimed by the company) modem to provide 3CC + 1CC Turbo DSDA dua-SIM dual-active technology.

With dedicated tensor accelerator hardware for 5G and 5G Advanced, the modem provides 30% AI interference. Moreover, the integration of machine learning and AI-driven capabilities brings improvements in speed, efficiency, coverage, and power consumption.

	Snapdragon X85 5G	Snapdragon X75 5G	Apple C1
Peak Download Speed	12.5 Gbps	10 Gbps	4 Gbps
Peak Upload Speed	3.7 Gbps	3.5 Gbps	–
5G Connectivity	Sub-6 GHz and mmWave	Sub-6 GHz and mmWave	Sub-6 GHz
Satellite Connectivity	Yes	Yes	–

Qualcomm says that the modem is fit for usage on personal computers, wireless access points, extended reality (XR) headsets, and automotive use cases. Along with the Snapdragon X85 5G modem, the company also launched the Qualcomm X82 5G Modem-RF for multi-gigabit download/upload speeds.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy A26, Galaxy A36, and Galaxy A56 Launched; Check Specs and Pricing

You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.

Shikhar Mehrotra

Shikhar Mehrotra is a seasoned technology writer and reviewer with over five years of experience covering consumer tech across India and global markets. At Smartprix, he has authored more than 1,700 articles, including news stories, features, comparisons, and product reviews spanning automobiles, smartphones, chipsets, wearables, laptops, home appliances, and operating systems. Shikhar has reviewed flagship devices such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25+, and Sennheiser HD 505 Open-Ear headphones. He also contributes regularly to Smartprix’s growing automotive section.

With a deep understanding of both iOS and Android ecosystems, Shikhar specializes in daily tech news, how-to explainers, product comparisons, and in-depth reviews. His DSLR photography in product reviews is recognized as among the best on the team.

Before joining Smartprix, Shikhar wrote for leading publications including Forbes Advisor India, Republic World, and ScreenRant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow.

OnePlus Pad Lite With 11-inch 90Hz Display, LTE Connectivity, & 9,340 mAh Battery Launched In India

Entering the affordable Android tablet market, OnePlus has announced the launch of the Pad Lite, an 11-inch tablet that runs on an octa-core processor and features a massive battery for all-day usage. The tablet will compete with models like the Redmi Pad 2, Oppo Pad SE, and the Lenovo Tab M11. OnePlus Pad Lite India …

Qualcomm Snapdragon X60 5G Modem is based on 5nm Process and promises faster 5G

Qualcomm has announced its third-generation Snapdragon X60 5G modem and confirmed that it will be manufactured on the 5nm process. The new modem will deliver a significant bump in peak bandwidth resulting from support for carrier aggregation in Sub-6 GHz bands (FDD and TDD) and simultaneous career aggregation in Sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands.In …

Apple C1 5G Modem: Six Years Of R&D, A Reliable And Efficient Solution, And Its Future Prospects

Back in the day, Apple relied on Intel to supply the 3G and 4G modems for iPhones. The California giants worked together to provide cellular connectivity on the iPhones. However, Intel couldn’t keep up with the shift in the telecom industry (from 4G to 5G). This is why Apple transitioned to Qualcomm’s 5G modem (similar …

6G Speeds hit 100Gbps in test, 500 times than average 5G data speeds

5G has been around for a long time enabling blazing-fast downloads and uploads and beyond. 5G speeds could reach a theoretical limit of 20Gbps but that seems dwarf if you compare it with 6G speeds. A 6G demo test performed by a consortium in Japan reached download data speeds of 100 Gbps. As the figures suggest, it is 5 times what peak …

Reliance Jio AX6000 Universal Wi-Fi 6 Router Launched In India: Check Specs And Price Here

Reliance Jio has launched a Wi-Fi 6 Universal router. The Jio AX6000 router offers up to 6 Gbps download speeds, provides wide coverage, supports over 100 connections, and enables lag-free streaming or gaming for multiple household members. For the specifications, the router seems affordable. Check out more details about the Jio AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 router’s …