Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. has introduced its next-generation AI-ready Wi-Fi 8 portfolio, featuring the FastConnect 8800 Mobile Connectivity System and five Dragonwing Networking Platforms. The portfolio provides high-speed, extended-range, and intelligent connectivity for mobile devices, routers, broadband gateways, and enterprise access points, supporting applications across smartphones, laptops, tablets, and robotics.
FastConnect 8800: Mobile Connectivity System
The FastConnect 8800 integrates a 4×4 Wi-Fi configuration to deliver peak speeds of 11.6 Gbps, up to twice the throughput of previous Wi-Fi 7 systems, and three times the gigabit-range coverage. Bluetooth performance is enhanced with Bluetooth 7 High Data Throughput (HDT), increasing speeds from 2 Mbps to 7.5 Mbps for reliable multi-device audio and low-latency connections.
The system combines Wi-Fi 8, Bluetooth 7, Ultra Wideband (UWB) 802.15.4ab, and Thread 1.5 on a single chip using a 6 nm process node. Its Proximity AI framework uses Wi-Fi Ranging, Bluetooth Channel Sounding, and UWB to provide spatial intelligence for locating devices, gesture recognition, and multi-device coordination.
FastConnect 8800 supports Qualcomm’s RF front-end modules (QXM110x and QXM210x), Snapdragon Seamless™, Qualcomm XPAN, and aptX audio technologies, enabling coordinated connectivity across multiple devices.
Dragonwing Networking Platforms
Qualcomm’s Dragonwing Wi-Fi 8 platforms provide AI-capable infrastructure for routers and gateways. Key platforms include:
- Dragonwing NPro A8 Elite: Features a 5×5 Wi-Fi 8 radio, reducing latency by 2.5× and increasing throughput by up to 40% at typical distances. Equipped with a penta-core CPU and Hexagon NPU, it provides AI acceleration for enterprise access points and premium home routers.
- Dragonwing FiberPro A8 Elite: Offers Wi-Fi 8 with AI acceleration and 10G fiber support, suitable for fiber-ready gateway deployments.
- Dragonwing FWA Gen 5 Elite: Combines fixed wireless access capabilities with Wi-Fi 8 and AI features, using the Qualcomm X85 5G Modem-RF System.
- Dragonwing N8 and F8: Provide mainstream Wi-Fi 8 options for mesh systems, home routers, and broadband gateways.
These platforms include intelligent power optimization, network acceleration, and edge AI capabilities.
Key Features
- High-Speed and Extended Range: 4×4 Wi-Fi delivers 11.6 Gbps and extended gigabit range.
- Comprehensive Connectivity: Wi-Fi 8, Bluetooth 7, UWB, and Thread integrated in a single chip.
- Spatial Awareness: Proximity AI enables device tracking, direction/distance recognition, and multi-device coordination.
- Enterprise-Grade Performance: Dragonwing platforms reduce latency, increase throughput, and provide AI acceleration.
- Seamless Multi-Device Connectivity: Supports Snapdragon Seamless™, XPAN, and audio features.
- Energy Efficiency: Intelligent power management reduces energy consumption on routers by up to 30% per day.
Quick Specs: FastConnect 8800
- Wi-Fi Peak Speed: 11.6 Gbps
- Wi-Fi Generation: Wi-Fi 8, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6
- Wi-Fi Bands: 6GHz, 5GHz, 2.4GHz
- Wi-Fi Features: Extended Long Range (ELR), MU-MIMO, OFDMA, Target Wake Time (TWT), Passpoint, Wi-Fi Aware, Wi-Fi Location
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 7.0, High Data Throughput (HDT), Bluetooth Channel Sounding
- UWB: IEEE 802.15.4ab, FiRA, RADAR support
- Thread: 1.5
- Proximity AI: Wi-Fi Ranging, Bluetooth Channel Sounding, UWB, direction/distance tracking
- RF FEMs: QXM110x, QXM210x
- Audio: Snapdragon Sound, Qualcomm XPAN, aptX Lossless/Adaptive/Voice
Availability
All solutions in Qualcomm’s Wi-Fi 8 portfolio are sampling now, with commercial products expected by late 2026. FastConnect 8800-based devices are anticipated to arrive by the end of 2026.
Speaking on the launch, Gautam Sheoran, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Connectivity, Broadband and Networking, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said:
Today’s network traffic profile is fundamentally changing as AI-fueled demand requires a re-thinking of the core architecture. Qualcomm Technologies is redefining that architecture to enable AI everywhere. Next-gen networks and devices not only need to be AI-native, but they need a new class of intelligent, high-performance connectivity. Qualcomm Technologies’ Wi-Fi 8 generation of products is the complete package: faster speeds, higher reliability, longer range, and powerful AI.