Snapdragon X105 is here: The modem to power Galaxy S27 and OnePlus 16?

Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X85 cellular modem a year ago, and it ended up inside the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. We expected the Snapdragon X95 to be the next modem, but Qualcomm has actually released the Snapdragon X105 instead.

Qualcomm said the X105 effectively skips a generation with its name, owing to all the upgrades it offers over the X85 modem. So what are the most notable features worth knowing?

For starters, Qualcomm says the X105 is the first “Release 19-capable” modem. But perhaps the most notable feature is that the modem supports NR-NTN connectivity (New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network) to effectively deliver 5G over satellite. This opens up more use cases for satellite connectivity while off-grid, including data, video, and voice. This also comes after recent smartphones delivered SOS functionality, limited messaging, and basic data connectivity over satellites.

Don’t care about satellite connectivity but still want reception in your work parking garage? Qualcomm revealed that the X105 modem can tap into NB-IoT networks as a failover if you don’t have access to satellite connectivity or terrestrial cell coverage. So this could be handy for elevators, parking garages, and other similar environments. The company specifically noted that this connectivity solution is meant for messaging services (e.g., RCS, OTT communication apps) rather than voice.

Qualcomm also promises faster data transmission, with peak downlink speeds of 14.8Gbps (or 13.2Gbps with sub-6GHz only) and peak uplink speeds of 4.2Gbps. By contrast, the X85 modem offers 12.5Gbps down and 3.7Gbps up.

Recent flagship Snapdragon modems have all been equipped with AI smarts for better optimized connectivity. Now, the Snapdragon X105 brings agentic AI support, along with improved sensing software to predict and further optimize connectivity. In a rather interesting move, Qualcomm says it’s also offering APIs to device makers so they can tap into predictive intelligence to improve things. The company says OEMs could use these APIs to improve connectivity for chat apps and AI chatbots, ostensibly for lower latency or better battery life.

The chip designer says it’s using a new RF transceiver that uses 30% less power, owing to a 6nm design. It didn’t actually clarify overall power consumption gains for the modem compared to the previous generation, aside from saying it uses less power. Finally, Qualcomm says the X105 modem supports quad-frequency GNSS for improved location accuracy. It adds that this solution also enables power savings of up to 25%.

Qualcomm didn’t reveal a launch timeline for the X105 modem, but we’re expecting it to be paired with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset. Qualcomm typically launches these processors in October each year, although the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 was unveiled in late September. Either way, you’ll have to wait a long time to buy a phone with this modem.