Qualcomm debuted its QTM052 mmWave antenna module earlier this year, and at the 4G/5G summit in Hong Kong, the chip vendor launched a new version that's 25% smaller. The new design allows device manufacturers to implement it into their products without sacrificing the aesthetic, and Qualcomm has also announced that it secured new partners for its 5G modem.
Qualcomm says at least two Android flagships slated to launch in 2019 will feature the 5G modem. The first device will be unveiled in the early half of 2019, with the second device coming in the latter half of the year.
The two flagships are just a part of the broader push that Qualcomm is targeting with its 5G modem. A total of 19 OEMs will launch phones featuring the modem in 2019, including LG, HTC, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, OPPO, Vivo, Xiaomi, and others.
The notable omissions on the list are Samsung and Huawei, with both manufacturers working on their own 5G solutions. It'll be interesting to see how their modems compare to the Qualcomm X50, but with a variety of devices launching next year across price points, there won't be any shortage of 5G-enabled phones.
When it comes to the carrier side of things, Qualcomm is partnering with 18 carriers around the globe to push the 5G standard forward.
