Newsletter
Qualcomm has already announced Snapdragon Satellite, back at CES last month. And now, we’re learning some of the first partners that will use Snapdragon Satellite. Those include Motorola, Nothing, HONOR, OPPO, vivo and Xiaomi. Qualcomm was not specific on when those devices will launch, nor what those devices will be. It’s also likely that other smartphone brands will use Snapdragon Satellite.
Snapdragon Satellite is somewhat similar to the satellite connectivity that Apple launched on the iPhone 14 series last year. It allows you to call for help when there’s no signal. But, with Qualcomm, they are going to allow you to do more than just send text messages to emergency services. You’ll be able to text your contacts and also make calls over Satellite.
Qualcomm also announced that Snapdragon Satellite will be available across all upcoming 5G Modem-RF systems and Snapdragon Mobile Platform tiers (from Snapdragon 8- to 4- tier) as the ecosystem matures.
Qualcomm has loads of 5G announcements for MWC Barcelona
It should come as no surprise that Qualcomm also has loads of 5G-related announcements for MWC Barecelona this week. This includes the world’s first 5G NR-Light Modem-RF System to fuel the new wave of 5G devices, in the Snapdragon X35 modem. Qualcomm, Ericsson and Telefonica are also the first to launch a commercial mobile 5G mmWave network in Spain at Mobile World Congress.
Qualcomm is also working with Dell Technologies to Accelerate 5G Open RAN Design and Deployments.
Qualcomm has also announced Snapdragon Spaces. This is basically their new marketing name for XR. The company is working with global operators to help define Snapdragon Spaces devices requirements and compatibility that will give consumers more options. Qualcomm does have a number of partners on-board for Snapdragon Spaces already, including China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, Vodafone, KDDI, NTT Qonoq and T-Mobile. It has also already launched the first device with support for Snapdragon Spaces – the OnePlus 11 5G.
Qualcomm launches the next generation Snapdragon Automotive 5G Platform
Qualcomm also has some automotive news at MWC Barcelona this year. Announcing the Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF Gen 2 system, which will provide 50% more processing power, 40% power efficiency gains and greater than two times the maximum throughput for secure, reliable and seamless connectivity.
The company says that it is sampling this new platform now and it expects that automakers will use this commercially by the end of 2023.