Qualcomm recently pulled back the curtains on the Snapdragon X60 5G modem chipset. the X60 is the direct successor to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55 5G modem, and the 3rd generation solution that the semiconductor maker says will “lift the performance floor for global 5G network” globally.
As per the official statement, the Snapdragon X60 is designed to provide a level of flexibility previously unavailable to the last generation 5G modem. With the X60, Qualcomm says that operators will be able to use a greater variety of frequencies. Including mmWave, sub-6GHz, 5G FDD, and TDD, among others.
Specs-wise, the new X60 modem is based on a new 5nm process node, allowing the chipset to be more power-efficient. Moreover, the chipset’s new QTM535 mmWave antenna module is also smaller but will allow smartphone manufacturers to design slimmer mmWave smartphone designs.
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Additionally, the X60’s support for 5G FDD-TDD sub-6 frequencies will enable operators to maximise their spectrum resources for both coverage and peaks speeds, as well as double the latter.
Of course, you’re not going to find devices fitted with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X60 just yet, simply because there are not 5G devices fitted with it. On that note, customer sampling is expected to begin sometime during the first quarter of this year, while 5G smartphones fitted with the chipset will only be making their debut early next year.
(Source: Qualcomm)
