Qualcomm Unveils Groundbreaking Innovations in 5G, AI, and Connectivity at MWC Barcelona 2025
At MWC Barcelona 2025, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. showcased a series of groundbreaking innovations that reinforce its leadership in wireless connectivity and on-device AI. From the launch of the world’s first 5G Advanced Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) platform to advancements in 5G Open RAN (O-RAN) and collaborations driving enterprise-grade generative AI, Qualcomm continues to set the benchmark for next-generation technologies. These announcements highlight the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that power seamless, intelligent, and high-performance experiences across devices and industries.f
Setting New Standards with the Qualcomm X85 5G Modem-RF
Qualcomm unveiled the Qualcomm X85 5G Modem-RF, its eighth-generation 5G modem-to-antenna solution and fourth-generation AI-powered 5G connectivity platform. This innovation brings unparalleled connectivity leadership to the Android ecosystem, achieving peak download speeds of up to 12.5 Gbps while supporting both sub-6 GHz and mmWave spectrums.
The Qualcomm X85 features an enhanced 5G AI Processor with a hardware tensor accelerator, enabling AI-driven improvements in speed, efficiency, coverage, and power consumption. These enhancements ensure seamless streaming, faster downloads, and lag-free gaming experiences, making it a game-changer for smartphone users worldwide.
In addition to revolutionizing 5G, Qualcomm introduced new 4G IoT modems, including one with an industry-first integrated SIM (iSIM). These modems deliver ultra-low power connectivity for a wide range of IoT devices, from smart meters and healthcare devices to wearables and point-of-sale terminals, further expanding Qualcomm’s footprint in the IoT ecosystem.
Accelerating 5G Open RAN Adoption Globally
Qualcomm’s 5G Open RAN (O-RAN) solutions are gaining significant traction among leading network operators and infrastructure providers. At MWC 2025, the company announced key milestones:
- Viettel, Vietnam’s largest mobile network operator, has deployed a live 5G O-RAN Massive MIMO network using Qualcomm Dragonwing™ Cellular Infrastructure platforms.
- NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s largest mobile operator, has selected virtualized Distributed Units (vDUs) powered by Qualcomm Dragonwing™ X100 Accelerator Cards for its nationwide 5G vRAN network deployment.
These deployments underscore Qualcomm’s role in advancing the global adoption of 5G Open RAN, which promises greater flexibility, cost-efficiency, and scalability for network operators.
Redefining Mobile Broadband with Dragonwing FWA Gen 4 Elite
Qualcomm redefined mobile broadband with the launch of the Dragonwing™ Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Gen 4 Elite Platform, the world’s first 5G Advanced FWA platform. Powered by the Qualcomm X85 5G Modem-RF, this platform delivers ultra-fast wireless broadband experiences with downlink speeds of up to 12.5 Gbps.
Key features include:
- On-device AI-enhanced traffic classification and 40 TOPS edge AI integration, which significantly boost network performance and enable advanced generative AI innovation at the network edge.
- A powerful quad-core processor, dedicated hardware acceleration, integrated 5G modem-RF, GNSS, Tri-band Wi-Fi 7, and broad carrier middleware support.
This next-gen FWA platform is designed to meet the growing demand for reliable, high-speed internet, bridging the digital divide and enabling transformative applications across industries.
Pioneering the Path to 6G
Qualcomm remains at the forefront of wireless research, driving advancements in 5G Advanced, 6G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and UWB. The company’s focus includes foundational evolution for ubiquitous coverage, operational optimization through AI and digital twins, and enabling emerging services like immersive experiences and integrated sensing. These innovations will pave the way for the next era of wireless communication, ensuring Qualcomm continues to lead as the industry transitions to 6G.
Showcasing Edge AI Leadership
At MWC 2025, Qualcomm demonstrated its leadership in hybrid AI through a series of groundbreaking demonstrations and collaborations:
- Collaboration with IBM: Qualcomm and IBM announced an expanded partnership to drive enterprise-grade generative AI solutions across edge and cloud environments. This collaboration includes enabling support for IBM’s Granite models through the Qualcomm® AI Hub and integrating watsonx.governance across edge devices powered by Qualcomm platforms. These efforts address critical challenges such as security, efficiency, reliability, and governance for AI solutions in businesses.
- Agentic and Multimodal AI Experiences: Qualcomm showcased on-device, multimodal AI experiences across Snapdragon-powered smartphones, PCs, and smart glasses. Highlights include:
- Smartphones powered by Snapdragon® 8 Elite mobile platforms: Demonstrations featured an AI agent user interface performing tasks like music playback, navigation, weather updates, and messaging.
- Snapdragon X Series PCs: On-device commercial AI experiences were demonstrated across media and productivity applications.
- TCL Ray-Neo Smart Glasses: A large language model (LLM) running on a Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered smartphone enabled seamless interaction with smart glasses, showcasing the potential of agentic AI in wearable devices.
Cristiano Amon: Leading the Age of AI and Hybrid Experiences
“Qualcomm has been a leader in wireless technologies for 40 years, from 3G to 5G and now into 5G Advanced,” said Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated. “In the age of AI and upcoming hybrid and agentic experiences, industry-leading, high-performance 5G connectivity is essential.”
Amon emphasized that Qualcomm’s innovations are not just about connectivity but also about enabling transformative experiences that empower users and businesses alike. By combining AI-driven technologies with cutting-edge wireless solutions, Qualcomm is shaping the future of how we connect, communicate, and interact with the world.
Experience Qualcomm’s Innovations at MWC Barcelona 2025
All these groundbreaking innovations are on display at MWC Barcelona 2025. Attendees can visit Qualcomm’s Booth 3E10 in Hall 3 of the Fira Gran Via to explore live demonstrations and speak with experts about the latest advancements in 5G, AI, and connectivity.
For more information, visit Qualcomm’s official website or dive deeper into their product pages to learn how these innovations are transforming industries and enhancing user experiences.
Shaping the Future of Connectivity and AI
Qualcomm’s announcements at MWC Barcelona 2025 highlight its unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology. From the world’s first 5G Advanced FWA platform to advancements in 5G Open RAN and edge AI, the company is driving the next wave of innovation. By empowering industries, businesses, and consumers with smarter, faster, and more reliable solutions, Qualcomm continues to lead the charge in creating a connected, intelligent, and immersive future.
Stay tuned for more updates from Qualcomm as they continue to redefine the possibilities of wireless technology and AI-driven experiences.
