No 6G Until 2029, But Wi-Fi 8 is Coming This Year: Qualcomm Gives Us a Peek Inside Future Flagships

During MWC 2026, Qualcomm introduced its latest wireless connectivity solutions: the X105 5G modem and the FastConnect 8800 network adapter. The company also laid out a rough timeline for the transition to 6G.

The new flagship X105 5G modem succeeds last year's X85, and its main selling point is its ability to function reliably in unstable signal conditions. The X105 is the first modem compatible with the 5G Advanced Release 19 spec, which is seen as a stepping stone to 6G. Thanks to support for Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), this technology can use existing LTE networks as a backup channel. If your smartphone enters an area with poor 5G coverage—like an elevator, an underground parking garage, or a basement—it can switch over to NB-IoT. The modem also supports satellite connectivity via the NR-NTN standard, allowing it to establish a connection through a satellite when there's absolutely no cellular network available.

According to Qualcomm, the modem uses on-device agentic AI to optimize your connection. The system learns your behavior patterns and proactively switches between frequencies and cell towers to minimize dropouts. They're also making APIs available for third-party developers, allowing them to tap into these algorithms within their own apps.

X105 specs at a glance:

The second major announcement was the FastConnect 8800 chip, which handles Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in devices. This is Qualcomm's first mainstream product with support for Wi-Fi 8. Unlike past generational shifts that focused on peak speeds, the emphasis here is on coverage stability. The company claims a redesigned 4×4 radio module configuration triples the range for reliable gigabit speeds compared to current standards. In practical terms, this means a much more stable connection in complex indoor layouts or when you're further away from your router.

The FastConnect 8800 also supports Bluetooth 7.0 and HDT (High Data Throughput) technology, which pushes the maximum data transfer speed to 7.5 Mbps. That's significantly higher than Bluetooth LE's 2 Mbps and allows for streaming high-resolution audio over a wireless connection without any compression. The chip is built on a 6nm process, and shipments of the FastConnect 8800 to manufacturers are expected to begin in late 2026. That's also when Qualcomm's lineup of Dragonwing Wi-Fi 8 enterprise solutions for the IoT sector is slated to arrive.

Qualcomm has confirmed it's actively working on sixth-generation connectivity standards. According to the current roadmap, the final specifications for the standard should be finalized by 2028, with the first compatible commercial systems potentially arriving in 2029. The company describes 6G networks as being AI-native and designed for tasks that go beyond just connecting to the internet, like sensing and high-performance computing.

6G is promised by 2029, even though 5G still doesn't work properly in many regions. Do you actually need a new generation of connectivity, or are manufacturers just inventing new ways to make money? Share your thoughts in the comments.