Qualcomm announced the X105 5G Modem-RF at MWC 2026, succeeding the X85 modem. The new component is built for the “agentic AI era,” according to the company.
The development introduces a flagship modem designed to power cellular connectivity in upcoming high-end smartphones. The X105 may appear in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset, potentially supporting devices like the OnePlus 16 or Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra.
The X105 is the first modem compatible with 5G Advanced Release 19. This standard serves as a step on the path to 6G and upgrades connectivity for the AI era.
The modem supports 5G over satellite with added NR-NTN connectivity. This expanded support makes satellite a more viable alternative for end users by enabling data, voice, and messaging support.
Qualcomm added support for Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) as a cellular fallback. The company stated this feature improves connectivity in challenging environments, such as elevators or parking garages, by using existing LTE infrastructure.
The X105 uses agentic AI to improve cellular performance. The company will provide APIs for third-party developers to use predictive intelligence.
Compared to the X85, the X105 offers faster speeds. It supports downlink rates up to 14.8Gbps and uplink rates up to 4.2Gbps.
Brady Snyder, a contributor to Android Central, noted that NB-IoT fallback could have solved connectivity issues he experienced in a parking garage. Snyder stated that a phone with the X105 would have prevented communication problems when Wi-Fi was unavailable.
Qualcomm provided travel, food, and lodging for the trip to MWC 2026. The company had no input on coverage and did not see the article before publishing.
Android Central is a publication focused on consumer technology. Brady Snyder is a tech journalist for the outlet with a focus on news, phones, and software.
