Qualcomm X105 5G Modem Ushers in Era of Agentic AI and Advanced Connectivity

Unveiled at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026, Qualcomm’s next-generation X105 5G Modem-RF system is poised to deliver significant advancements in 5G capabilities, with a particular focus on supporting agentic AI features. The modem is expected to appear in smartphones beginning this year and continuing into 2027. Alongside the X105, Qualcomm too introduced the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, a substantial upgrade for wearable devices.

Agentic AI and Enhanced Connectivity

The Qualcomm X105 represents the company’s fifth generation of 5G modems, but marks the first time a Qualcomm modem has been specifically designed to support agentic AI. According to Qualcomm, these improvements in connectivity are crucial for ensuring the reliability and usefulness of AI agents. The modem incorporates new sensing software designed to predict conditions and optimize 5G connectivity.

Power Efficiency and Form Factor

The X105 5G modem boasts a 30% reduction in power consumption compared to the previous generation, achieved through new radio frequency (RF) technology. It also features a 15% smaller form factor, allowing for more compact device designs.

5G Advanced and Satellite Connectivity

The Qualcomm X105 is the first modem compatible with 5G Advanced Release 19, paving the way for broader adoption of 5G Advanced technologies across various applications, including smartphones, fixed wireless access, automotive, extended reality (XR), PCs, robotics, and industrial IoT. The modem also supports integrated NR-NTN (New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network), enabling 5G connectivity via satellite for voice, data, and video services.

Snapdragon Wear Elite: A Leap Forward for Wearables

Alongside the X105, Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip for wearable devices. This new chip delivers a significant performance boost, with a five-fold increase in single-core CPU performance and a seven-fold increase in GPU speed compared to the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2. Battery life is also expected to improve by up to 30%. The Snapdragon Wear Elite incorporates a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to enhance AI performance, enabling “Personal AI experiences” on devices like AI pins and pendants.

Partnerships and Future Devices

Qualcomm has established partnerships with Google, Motorola, and Samsung for the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip. While specific devices utilizing the new modem and wearable chip haven’t been announced, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus are potential candidates.

Availability

The Qualcomm X105 5G Modem-RF is currently sampling to customers, with commercial devices anticipated to launch in the second half of 2026.