Qualcomm Snapdragon X35 debuts as a world-first 5G NR-Light modem

5G NR-Light is a new sub-class of the up-to-date mobile connectivity standard that, according to Qualcomm, "fills the gap in between high-speed mobile broadband devices and extremely low-bandwidth NB-IoT devices", and may also serve as an upgrade to anything with 4G/LTE CAT4+.

Accordingly, the OEM strongly hints that the Snapdragon X35 modem-RF system might be found in a first wave of 5G smartwatches, as well as upcoming extended-reality hardware, industrial-grade IoT or PCs.

The X35 is touted as optimally designed for the demands of "mid-tier" new radio (NR) applications, while allowing for next-gen devices with improved battery life and reduced latency in smaller, more efficient form-factors. It may do so thanks to features such as Qualcomm QET5100 Envelope Tracking; PowerSave Gen 4; 5G Ultra-Low Latency Suite and Smart Transmit Technology. 

The X35 is backwards-compatible with older mobile data standard, and is apparently rated for all sub-6GHz, FDD, and TDD bands worldwide. Accordingly, Qualcomm pitches it and its more budget X32 sibling as the ideal RF system for all kinds of devices to the basic to the high-end.

Then again, they may not be here until 2024, as the OEM will only just start to issue samples to potential clients throughout the first half of 2023.

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