Qualcomm Claims New X85 Modem Creates 'Huge Delta' in Performance Versus Apple

[FlyingDutch]

C1 was never intended as the fastest model solution, and it is designed for middle class products. So there is no problem about that.
According to the first analysis it is fast and reliable, so a good first try by Apple.

 

[FlyingDutch]

What the heck is an "AI powered" modem?! This term is buzzed out of relevance by now.

Just put “AI” in your commercials, and you’ll win some points.

 

[ifxf]

Modern web sites have so many ads, trackers and auto playing videos that any modem speed increase is negated.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

For 99% of people, there is "it works" and "it does not work" for this kind of thing. If the Apple Modem basically works and users do not perceive issues because of it, game over.

Of course all the social media/tech drama sources will try to make a story out of some performance gap, but I think most people see that as white noise these days.

 

[fuchsdh]

I expect that's true. It is Apple's first go after all.

Gotta say, I don't really see the use-cases for this. It's already more than fast enough for web browsing and streaming media, what else are you doing with a phone or tethered device?

Edit: like @Wizec says - power efficiency seems far more important.

Which I think is why Apple was finally confident enough to make the switch, especially with their "regular" phones. At some point, most people aren't using the screaming fast 5G capabilities, or more people will notice the better battery life much more than they will faster connectivity.

Also, Qualcomm having to dip into the "but our AI" well to defend their products makes me reflexively want to ignore them completely.

 

[MallardDuck]

Does it really matter in the real world for most people? Probably not.

 

[Andres Cantu]

At this point, I don’t care about speed. I only care about reliability and efficiency.

If Apple can deliver on those, I will be glad they made the move.

 

[surfzen21]

This is the only speed that matters, Marty!

 

[carlsson]

What the heck is an "AI powered" modem?! This term is buzzed out of relevance by now.

Agree. However, this is what AI answers:

An “AI-powered” modem is mostly a marketing term, but in theory, it refers to a modem that integrates AI (Artificial Intelligence) to optimize network performance, improve security, and enhance user experience. Here’s what it mightactually mean in practice:



Possible AI Features in a Modem:

1. Dynamic Bandwidth Management – AI can analyze network traffic in real time and prioritize important data (e.g., streaming, gaming) over less critical traffic.

2. Adaptive Signal Optimization – AI could tweak signal strength and channel selection to minimize interference and improve Wi-Fi coverage.

3. Smart Security – AI may help detect and block suspicious activity, such as malware, phishing, or unauthorized devices.

4. Automated Troubleshooting – AI could predict connectivity issues and suggest fixes before they become noticeable.

5. User Behavior Analysis – AI might learn user habits and optimize network performance based on usage patterns.



Reality Check:

• Hype vs. Substance – A lot of networking companies use “AI-powered” as a buzzword when they really mean “machine learning algorithms” that tweak settings automatically.

• Do You Need It? – Most of these “AI” features are just enhancements of existing technology. A well-designed router or modem without AI can often perform just as well if configured correctly.

• Marketing Gimmick? – Unless it offers noticeable real-world benefits, it might just be a fancy way to sell you a more expensive modem.

 

[wanha]

it's not about the size of your delta, you know - it's how you use it

 

[spaxxedout]

Bro did they really have to put "AI" in the name??

 

[9081094]

Just put “AI” in your commercials, and you’ll win some points.

Or put “Pro” behind it and you can ask premium prices for a middle class product.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Bro did they really have to put "AI" in the name??

Everyone has to now ... to keep "number go up"

 

[wanha]

Agree. However, this is what AI answers:

An “AI-powered” modem is mostly a marketing term, but in theory, it refers to a modem that integrates AI (Artificial Intelligence) to optimize network performance, improve security, and enhance user experience. Here’s what it mightactually mean in practice:



Possible AI Features in a Modem:

1. Dynamic Bandwidth Management – AI can analyze network traffic in real time and prioritize important data (e.g., streaming, gaming) over less critical traffic.

2. Adaptive Signal Optimization – AI could tweak signal strength and channel selection to minimize interference and improve Wi-Fi coverage.

3. Smart Security – AI may help detect and block suspicious activity, such as malware, phishing, or unauthorized devices.

4. Automated Troubleshooting – AI could predict connectivity issues and suggest fixes before they become noticeable.

5. User Behavior Analysis – AI might learn user habits and optimize network performance based on usage patterns.



Reality Check:

• Hype vs. Substance – A lot of networking companies use “AI-powered” as a buzzword when they really mean “machine learning algorithms” that tweak settings automatically.

• Do You Need It? – Most of these “AI” features are just enhancements of existing technology. A well-designed router or modem without AI can often perform just as well if configured correctly.

• Marketing Gimmick? – Unless it offers noticeable real-world benefits, it might just be a fancy way to sell you a more expensive modem.

using AI to optimize the modem doesn't sound like it's particularly patentable

 

[pksv]

No one cares about performance.

When it comes to speed, it's true, it's good enough. But performance is also range, and that's what people still cares about.

 

[genexx]

Even if Qualcomm’s PR team is swearing on a stack of Snapdragon chips that this new thingamajig is the bee’s knees, I’m over here squinting at it like, ‘Really, bro?’ Nobody needs speeds that fast unless you’re trying to download the entire internet before your coffee cools. And comparing their shiny future plans to stuff we can actually buy today? That’s like me flexing my ‘upcoming’ six-pack abs while I’m still munching on a donut. Lame vibes all around!

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

It’s amazing literally every other company wil spew their greatness against Apple. Meanwhile Apple never utters a sound and just blows them out of the water with performance and more importantly efficiency.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Even if Qualcomm’s PR team is swearing on a stack of Snapdragon chips that this new thingamajig is the bee’s knees, I’m over here squinting at it like, ‘Really, bro?’ Nobody needs speeds that fast unless you’re trying to download the entire internet before your coffee cools.

Same opinion if it read like this?
👇

Even if Qualcomm’s Apple's PR team is swearing on a stack of Snapdragon Apple Silicon chips that this new thingamajig is the bee’s knees, I’m over here squinting at it like, ‘Really, bro?’ Nobody needs speeds that fast unless you’re trying to download the entire internet before your coffee cools.

 

[newdeal]

give me battery life all day long, I notice no difference between 5g and LTE anyway in terms us actual experience. Sure pushing speed is great but it should be efficiency first

 

[DaveN]

I saw a video sometime last year that we need extremely fast speed 5g modems for other things such as self driving cars, drones, AI features, etc. A normal user with a phone might have no use for these speeds but other utilities can.

Using cell phone connectivity for self driving is a safety and monetary nightmare. The connection goes down, crash, $$$.

 

[BootsWalking]

AI in a cellular chip that improves connectivity for weak signals. What does it do - guess the data in the air?

 

[ttyRazor]

I’m far more interested in how any of these perform with weaker signals and more interference, but that’s essentially impossible to reduce to a simple number they can compare and brag about.

 

[asparagus]

Let's rewrite the headline: Qualcomm, who is in the process of losing a monopoly on modem chipsets, claims their competition is 'so far behind they should just quit now' and 'they'll never, ever, ever ever catch up to our smart geniuses! By the way, we need 5% of the revenue of every device, please'.

I think most of the modem premium for ipads is due to qualcomm costs. If that's not a consideration, Apple could put a C1 in every device they make. If every apple device in my household had a cell phone chip in it? and there was some clever way to have a family 'cell data' plan so they all got internet everywhere, for a reasonable price?

Mmmm. Now that, that would be something else!

 

[turbineseaplane]

I’m far more interested in how any of these perform with weaker signals and more interference, but that’s essentially impossible to reduce to a simple number they can compare and brag about.

Yeah, who would ever converge things down to a simple number to compare and brag about!?

 

[Wizec]

There are settings on your iPhone that already let you accomplish these things.

You can find them under "cellular" (or "carrier", in some cases)

I’m aware of these settings. I mean an even more power efficient mode. What you’re showing is how I’m already configured and I’m getting over 800Mbps that way.

That’s just overkill for me, and definitely takes more battery than truly required.