Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X24 LTE modem has started sampling to manufacturers and we care because with this modem in your next phone, you could theoretically hit download speeds of up to 2Gbps (!). There are a number of factors that would need to align in order for your phone’s data connection to laugh at your home internet with those speeds, but that future is in the works.
This new Snapdragon X24 LTE modem is a Cat 20 LTE modem built on 7nm FinFET process that takes the Gigabit LTE storyline to a new level. The use of this modem will build on an LTE foundation as we move towards a 5G launch within the next couple of years and the launch of Qualcomm’s X50 5G modem. It supports 7x carrier aggregation, 4×4 MIMO on up to five aggregated LTE carriers, and License Assisted Access (LAA). To make it futureproof, Qualcomm added support for FD-MIMO (it’s a Massive MIMO tech that’s a key factor in 5G) too. Along with the 2Gbps download speeds, this X24 modem is capable of hitting upload speeds at 316Mbps.
Enough tech talk, though, when can we see this modem in a phone? Probably not for a while. You might recall that the Snapdragon 845, Qualcomm’s 2018 mobile processor, has their X20 modem inside. Since the 845 is this year’s chip to be featured in phones like the Galaxy S9, that means the X24 modem probably won’t show up in a phone until 2019, once Qualcomm has announced a Snapdragon 855 or something similar. They are hoping that something will launch later this year.
Qualcomm does plan to show off the X24 in action at MWC in a couple of weeks.
// Qualcomm
Nice! Then I can hit my data cap in 2.5 second.
How bad will this kill the battery like when LTE first came out…
And why would anyone need 2gbps on their phone? Seriously…why?
Eventually it will be needed, sure, but I’d MUCH RATHER see a focus on signal strength, coverage areas etc right now, more carrier than hardware for sure, unless Qualcomm can increase the reception strength?
It’s like with home routers, all the OEM’s are focusing mostly on speed so you can connect at stupid fast speeds from 5-10 feet away, but go out in your backyard and you’re lucky to get a signal at all.
Ugh. I’ll never understand the continued focus on speeds when capabilities that exist right now are not even being utilized yet signal strength and coverage are still lacking in many areas.
Cue the trolls
I agree. I have Verizon and working on a ticket in my town where everyone is getting 1 MB or less on download speed / 2 Mbps up. Not a rural town, but everyone over 14 seems to have a phone. Oversaturated towers need addressed first
I agree with this completely. Doesn’t matter if you have 1 billion bps if you have a shaky signal your not getting those speeds.
Sadly, it’s because “Our modems work better inside” isn’t NEARLY as marketable as “We’re faster(est).” You’re right, and it’s sad. And the other issue? Let’s say you’re Sprint, and you’re trying to build your infrastructure out. You’re dead last of the big 4 and all you want to do is market something as a “win.” Are you going to add more cell towers/bandwidth for building penetration? NOPE. You’re gonna add the “keeping up with the Joneses” newest, shiniest thing. And your customers, who were finally getting back to bragging rights about how you were FINALLY starting to get your coverage act in gear, are going to be right back to where they were- hoping against hope that their (my, full disclosure) service would actually work decently in a building. SIGH.
Nice! Then I can hit my data cap in 2.5 second.
how? just because you can download faster doesn’t mean you have to use more data
That’s exactly what happened when people switched from 3G to LTE. Streaming wasn’t a thing.
But, less buffering would be nice but I do more than just stream. I use cloud storage, emails with attachments, transferring of files via telegram. Quicker back/forth will be great, but cap will be reached quicker.
because he can now stream everything in 4K rather than buffering at 720p. And websites and apps will have larger, higher resolution images since the speed to load them quickly is there.
Kellen you guys heading up to MWC?