Qualcomm is working hard towards getting 5G to all users and has already released two 5G modems. Well, the San Diego-based chipmaker has officially unveiled the third-generation 5G modem called Snapdragon X60 Modem-RF system. It all started with Snapdragon X50 launched earlier last year followed by Snapdragon X55 modem that was launched mid-year to fastened the 5G deployment across the globe where at least 40 OEMs have introduced 5G-enabled smartphones with more than 45 operators adopting the 5G network by early 2020.
Additional to the features furnished by X55, the new Snapdragon X60 modem brings a lot of new add-on features to lift 5G to the next level. Apart from working across sub-6 GHz and mmWave spectrum (X50), the new chipset will also support 5G SA, Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, 5G FDD (rolled with X55) and finally, the chipset will support TDD and the new voice over new radio (VoNR) among others.
Equipped with the enhanced QTM535 mmWave module which doesn’t only improve its performance but the chipmaker has maintained a small profile allowing the phones to have slimmer profiles. The X60 modem is the first chipset to be produced on a 5nm node which of course increases its performance and power efficiency by manifolds. To put things into perspective, the X60 5G modem supports download speeds of up to 7.5 Gbps along with 3.0 Gbps of upload speeds.
The modem supports both Sub 6 and mmWave of 5G connectivity as aforementioned as well as brings TDD and FDD networks onboard. With Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), the modem enables telecom carriers to upgrade their network bands and speeds to 5G while the modem also supports legacy 2G, 3G, and LTE networks.
Apart from that, the new modem supports a feature called voice over new radio (VoNR) engineered to bring high-end voice service over 5G networks. With that being said, the Snapdragon X60 modem is expected to make it official in its first batch of devices releasing early 2021 so it will be great to get the sight of a huge improvement in terms of 5G connectivity over X60 modem.
