- Qualcomm expects the first pre-commercial 6G devices to be in testing by the end of the decade.
- 6G is born with native AI: a smarter network, sensing, and greater integration with the edge.
- Using higher bands (terahertz) for more capacity and minimal latency, with new use cases.
- 5G‑Advanced will act as a bridge as 3GPP moves forward in Releases 20 and 21 toward the 6G standard.
Qualcomm has taken advantage of its last summit to set a date for its roadmap to 6G: the company plans start testing with pre-commercial devices in the second half of this decade, a step that sets the tone for how mobile connectivity will evolve.
Far from presenting 6G as a simple speed boost, the American firm highlights a change in approach: a network with integrated AI and closer to the edge, Designed to coordinate mobile phones with smart rings, watches and glasses, and to run digital agents that collaborate in real time..
What exactly has Qualcomm announced?
During the Snapdragon Summit, CEO Cristiano Amon confirmed that Qualcomm is already working on 6G and plans to test devices before commercial deployment.. They will be pilot devices for operators and partners, not mobile phones for sale, following a sequence similar to that experienced with 5G.
In parallel, the standardization and cellular network technologies will advance in stages: 3GPP handles Release 20 (studies) y Release 21 (6G specifications), a cadence that fits with pilots at the end of the decade and first commercial offers already in the following one. The idea is enter large-scale testing and reach the market when the ecosystem is mature.
Qualcomm recalls that with 5G the cycle was similar: prior technical tests were carried out and the commercial implementation came later, as operators, bands, and devices became ready. With 6G, the bridge will be 5G-Advanced, which will continue to improve coverage, efficiency, and latency while preparing for the leap.
The company has also insisted that 6G points to a network more capable of manage data autonomously, with less manual intervention and new features for industries and individuals. The goal isn't to replace 5G immediately, but rather to complement it where it adds value.
Why Qualcomm's 6G puts AI at the center
For Qualcomm, the difference with respect to 5G is that 6G will be a smarter, context-aware networkIt's not just about transporting bits: the infrastructure could perceive and identify data, optimize routes, and prioritize content based on what each application requests.
That approach fits with the rise of on-device AI. The manufacturer advocates a model cloud-edge hybrid, where part of the computation is done locally to gain immediacy, privacy and personalization, and the network orchestrates the rest to ensure quality of service.
In everyday life, this translates into more “applied” AI agents that collaborate with each other, coordinate schedules, trips, or purchases, and anticipate needs without waiting for the cloud. Qualcomm has already demonstrated these agents. working together with very low response times.
Wearables are also gaining prominence: rings, watches or glasses will be able to delegate tasks on your mobile and online, sharing sensors, and offering more fluid experiences. The key lies in faster, more stable, and more "aware" connectivity.
Key technologies planned: spectrum, latency and sensing
Qualcomm is considering using higher bands, above 100 GHz, which we colloquially call terahertzThis jump will allow large peaks in flow and very low latencies, although it will require densifying the network and resorting to techniques of cellular transmission.
Another piece is the high-precision sensing and positioning integrated into the network itself. This would allow services such as mixed reality, industrial automation, and logistics to improve reliability and centimeter-level accuracy in complex scenarios.
The infrastructure should also be more autonomous: AI on the network and on the device to adjust coverage, power, and quality of service according to demand, reducing energy consumption and improving the indoor experience.
In the meantime, 5G-Advanced will serve as a ramp. We'll see. improvements in latency and capacity and features that anticipate 6G, such as improved positioning and smarter nodes. In regions where the millimeter band has not been fully exploited, the performance leap will depend on how densification is undertaken.
Calendar and what to expect from the devices
The first 6G devices we see will be prototypes and test terminals for pilot networks with operators. They will not be intended for the general public, but They will be used to tune modems, antennas and network software under real-life conditions..
The consumer market will come later, when the ecosystem is ready and there are clear use cases that add value to 5G-Advanced. The challenge for manufacturers will be to integrate new bands without increasing consumption or costs., and do so while maintaining fine designs and competitive autonomy.
For users, the impact will be felt in more immediate experiences: more stable immersive streaming, seamless cloud gaming, live AI translation and collaboration, and wearables that better understand mobile devices. The rollout will scale by country and city, depending on investment and available spectrum.
Qualcomm's proposal outlines a 6G that goes beyond increasing megabits: a network contextual and coordinated with AI, supported by terahertz, sensing, and edge, with pilots in the latter part of the decade and a commercial deployment that will consolidate as standards, devices, and networks mature.
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