Qualcomm announces Cat 12 LTE support in latest Snapdragon chip

The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, which will start to appear in devices in the first half of 2016, will support Cat 12 LTE (up to 600 Mbps download speeds) thanks to the inclusion of the X12 modem.

The X12 also supports Cat 13 (up to 150 Mbps) uploads and 4×4 MIMO on one downlink carrier. The other big new feature of this modem is its support for LTE-U and LTE/wifi link aggregation (LWA).

“The Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with X12 LTE modem is a new industry leader, offering highly differentiated features that put OEMs and carriers on the cutting edge, including the latest advances in LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity,” said Alex Katouzian, SVP of product management at Qualcomm.

“With technologies like 4K video, virtual reality and cognitive computing rapidly evolving, it’s important to provide consumers with the speed and bandwidth to create a more compelling mobile experience.”

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon operations have had a tough year, with the loss of the Samsung Galaxy S6 deal being the body blow. As well as raising its game in core areas such as the modem and the application processor, Qualcomm has also been looking to bounce back by ensuring it’s at the forefront of emerging tech trends like LTE-U.