Fastest and longest-range device Wi-Fi ever: Qualcomm debuts new FastConnect 8800 Wi-Fi 8 chip and X105 5G Modem-RF

Qualcomm has shown off the next-generation X105 5G Modem-RF and FastConnect 8800 Wi-Fi 8 chip. Both products use AI, as you’d expect from something launching in 2026, to deliver enhanced performance, power efficiency, and more.

Qualcomm X105 5G Modem-RF

With the X105 Modem-RF, Qualcomm is bringing:

• A 5th-gen 5G AI processor with on-modem Agentic AI
• A new RF transceiver
• 5G NR-NTN for satellite communication
• Quad-frequency GNSS
• Next-gen RF front-end

Among these technologies, the 5G NR-NTN and the quad-frequency GNSS are poised to deliver the most user-perceivable improvements. 5G NR-NTN allows any device featuring the X105 5G Modem-RF to take advantage of off-grid video, data, voice, and messaging through satellite communication.

The X105 5G Modem-RF is Qualcomm’s first modem with quad-frequency GNSS and multi-constellation support. This allows the X105 5G Modem-RF to communicate with all four major constellations, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou, to deliver enhanced positional accuracy, reduced latency, and up to 25% power savings. In other words, the X105 5G Modem-RF will deliver better and faster locational data without using more power.

Qualcomm FastConnect Wi-Fi 8 chip

Qualcomm has also taken the wraps off the FastConnect 8800 Wi-Fi chip. The chip, which is set to power smartphones and PC Wi-Fi/BT communication, brings a peak speed of 11.6 Gbps for Wi-Fi 8 and 7.5 Mbps for BT 7.0. Qualcomm claims this is the fastest and longest-range device Wi-Fi ever, delivering 2x the speed and 3x longer gigabit range.

Specs-wise, the FastConnect 8800 is built on a 6 nm process node and features Wi-Fi 8, Bluetooth 7.0, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), and Thread in a single chip. The FastConnect 8800 also comes with Proximity AI combined with Wi-Fi Ranging, UWB, and Bluetooth Channel Sounding, delivering an enhanced experience connecting and finding nearby smart devices like earbuds, smart tags, and smartphones.

Qualcomm is also bringing Wi-Fi 8 to users at scale with the Qualcomm Dragonwing.