Qualcomm has introduced new network chips, including one compatible with Wi-Fi 8 that is said to double wireless speeds.
Qualcomm announced a new generation of network chips at Mobile World Congress, including a Wi-Fi 8 chip that the company says can double wireless speeds.
First step towards Wi-Fi 8
The showstopper is the Qualcomm FastConnect 8800, a new network chip that Qualcomm is positioning as the foundation for future Wi-Fi 8 devices. According to the company, the chip doubles the maximum Wi-Fi speed compared to previous FastConnect solutions based on Wi-Fi 7. Thanks to a new 4×4 radio architecture, the range for gigabit speeds is also said to be up to three times larger.
The chip also supports Bluetooth 7.0 and Bluetooth HDT, a new standard that enables data speeds of up to 7.5 Mbps. This is significantly higher than the 2 Mbps limit of Bluetooth LE.
New 5G modem with AI
Qualcomm also announced the Qualcomm X105, the company’s fifth-generation 5G modem with an integrated AI processor. The modem is paired with a new RF transceiver that reduces power consumption by approximately 30 percent compared to the previous generation Qualcomm X85. At the same time, the chip is about 15 percent smaller, which creates space for more efficient smartphone designs, writes 9To5Google.
According to Qualcomm, the standards should be finalized by 2028, after which commercial networks could appear starting in 2029. The company describes these future networks as “AI-native” and focused on applications such as advanced connectivity, sensor networks, and high-performance computing.