Using the internet on your phone will never be the same. A new chip promises downloads at 12.5 Gbps
Many people think of the processor when they think of smartphone performance, which is why the majority of flagship Android phones use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which is currently the most potent processor on the market. But even if you have the best processor, you may notice that your phone is slow, especially if you’re using a cellular connection.
Mobile communications haven’t improved as much as WiFi, which has received several new versions in recent years; by comparison, 5G doesn’t seem to have changed much, although in fact a lot of improvement work has been done as well. The problem is that most phones can’t take advantage of 5G’s capabilities, but that could change soon.
Qualcomm today announced during MWC 2025 in Barcelona its new modem that comes with several important new features and a significant improvement in performance. This is the Snapdragon X85, designed for high-end mobile phones, and although it has not been confirmed, it is supposed to be the one chosen for future smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S26, Xiaomi 16 or OnePlus 14.
The Snapdragon X85 represents a huge leap forward from its predecessor and is a leader in many aspects, such as compatibility with the 400MHz band and new operator standards such as 3CC + 1CC. The X85 is also the first chipset to support 5G on the train, with the FRMCS standard for the European network.
But most importantly, the number that will surprise users the most is the maximum download speed of 12.5 Gbps, which is higher than typical fiber connections; in addition, the upload speed reaches 3.7 Gbps.
The highlight of the Snapdragon X85 is the presence of a dedicated AI processor. In fact, AI is also coming to mobile connectivity, but with the aim of improving the quality of the connection, not necessarily its speed. Thanks to the integrated AI features, it will be possible to improve stability in online games, avoid interruptions in video calls, and provide more accurate geolocation; in addition, it will help you manage dual SIM systems to switch from one network to another without problems.
The Snapdragon X85 is now available to manufacturers, who can start installing it in their high-end devices; in addition, Qualcomm also offers the Snapdragon X82 at a lower cost but also with gigabit speeds. At the moment, no brand has confirmed that it will use these chips, but some announcements are expected in the second half of the year.