Not even the first generation of 5G smartphones appear yet since Qualcomm is already releasing the next generation 5G modem. So yesterday Qualcomm has released a new modem with the Snapdragon X55, which, for example, to be implemented in the current Snapdragon 855. What makes the new modem so interesting is that unlike its predecessor, the X50, it supports not only 5G but also old transmission standards up to 2G. Previously, when using the Snapdragon X50, manufacturers had to use the Fusion Platform to install a second modem to use transmission standards other than 5G. This should no longer be the case with the new chip.
According to Qualcomm, with the new modem in the 5G network up to 7 GBit / s in the downstream and 3 GB / s in the upstream are possible. If you are in the LTE network still proud, 2.5 GBit / s in the downstream theoretically be feasible. In practice, however, such values are currently hardly achievable.
Another novelty is that the chip also works in standalone mode. Explanation: Current 5G modems cannot handle their data traffic exclusively via the 5G network, but use this much more than a kind of “boost” for the LTE network. With the support of the standalone mode, this will change in the future.
While the predecessor was still manufactured in 10 nm, this chip will be produced in future in 7 nm. However, it will take a few more months until we see the first devices with this modem, not even the first devices on the market that also support 5G.
