Qualcomm introduces X85 chip to compete with Apple's new C1 modem

Qualcomm has announced its latest X85 5G modem, which is set to create a "huge delta" in performance between premium Android devices and Apple’s iPhones. According to CEO Cristiano Amon, the X85's AI-powered capabilities and cutting-edge connectivity features will put Qualcomm far ahead of Apple. Apple only recently introduced its first in-house modem, the C1, in the iPhone 16e.

Amon believes the most significant advantage of its modem lies in AI-powered enhancements. "It's the first modem that has so much AI, it actually increases the range of performance so the modem can deal with weaker signals," Amon told CNBC. He emphasised that this would create a major gap between Qualcomm-powered Android devices and Apple's iPhones.

The X85, announced at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, is Qualcomm’s next-generation modem featuring 5G mmWave support, 400MHz download bandwidth in the Sub-6GHz spectrum with 1024-QAM modulation, and satellite connectivity. Qualcomm says the modem can deliver peak download speeds of up to 12.5Gbps and peak upload speeds of up to 3.7Gbps, combining multiple carrier frequencies for enhanced performance.

Meanwhile, Apple’s C1 modem, which debuted in the iPhone 16e, is positioned as the company’s first step into the modem space after acquiring Intel’s modem business in 2019. The tech giant’s reliance on Qualcomm modems is, however, set to continue for now. Its current agreement with Qualcomm extends through 2026, allowing Apple time to refine its modem technology while still using Qualcomm’s hardware in premium iPhone models.