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Qualcomm readies phones for Wi-Fi 8, Bluetooth 7, and faster 5G era

By · Via Lemmy Technology · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Qualcomm unveiled the FastConnect 8800 mobile connectivity system alongside its new X105 5G Modem-RF system to power upcoming smartphones and wearables. The flagship FastConnect solution merges multiple short-range radios to achieve wireless throughput beyond 10 Gbps and boost Bluetooth data transfer rates. Cellular performance also advances through satellite integration and real-time network optimization managed by an on-die AI processor. Additionally, the company announced Dragonwing Wi-Fi 8 platforms and the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform for AI wearables.

Key points

  • Commercial hardware equipped with these next-generation connectivity platforms will begin…: Commercial hardware equipped with these next-generation connectivity platforms will begin reaching the market in late 2026.
  • Integrated Proximity AI blends Wi-Fi ranging, Bluetooth channel sounding, and UWB to loca…: Integrated Proximity AI blends Wi-Fi ranging, Bluetooth channel sounding, and UWB to locate nearby hardware with centimeter-level precision.
  • Built-in non-terrestrial network satellite support enables mobile devices to maintain cru…: Built-in non-terrestrial network satellite support enables mobile devices to maintain crucial data connections outside conventional cellular coverage zones.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

title: “Qualcomm readies phones for Wi-Fi 8, Bluetooth 7, and faster 5G era” url: “https://www.digitaltrends.com/phones/qualcomm-readies-phones-for-wi-fi-8-bluetooth-7-and-faster-5g-era/” author: “Manisha Priyadarshini”

Qualcomm is preparing the next wave of smartphones and connected devices for faster wireless technologies, announcing new platforms that bring Wi-Fi 8, Bluetooth 7, and 5G Advanced closer to commercial reality.

At MWC 2026, the company unveiled its FastConnect 8800 mobile connectivity system alongside a new lineup of Dragonwing Wi-Fi 8 networking platforms, while separately introducing the Qualcomm X105 5G Modem-RF system aimed at powering the next phase of cellular networks.

Together, these announcements highlight how Qualcomm is evolving device connectivity to handle higher speeds, longer wireless range, and increasingly AI-driven network workloads.

Wi-Fi 8: faster speeds and AI-optimized networks

Qualcomm

Qualcomm’s Wi-Fi 8 push is led by the FastConnect 8800 Mobile Connectivity System, which the company says is the first mobile solution with a 4×4 Wi-Fi radio configuration capable of delivering peak wireless speeds above 10 Gbps.

Qualcomm claims the new platform can offer up to twice the performance of Wi-Fi 7 and extend gigabit wireless range by as much as…

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