Sure, if you don't mind that it's missing LTE/3G, sound, a display, all sensors, a camera or, ya know, all of the other features of a modern smartphone.
But you're right that it does contain a full fledged Snapdragon SoC. Qualcomm was so interested in getting a 5G modem out as fast as possible, they put out the X50 that requires a SD855 to work, but have since announced the X55, which can work with other SoCs and non-5G frquencies.
It has LTE. FTA: "Besides the chips, the 5G Moto Mod also integrates 10 antennas: four Qualcomm’s QTM052 for mmWave radio, two antennas for sub-6 GHz connectivity, and four for 4G/LTE."
This is why I'm not overly enthusiastic about Qualcomm's early 5G NR-modem's/radio's.
To use the X50 they need the 855 SoC which already has a fully featured modem built in, and when they want to add the X50 modem to the Z3 they therefore also needs to pack in the 855. A proper discrete modem that could be paired with the existing SoC (over USB or whatever) would make much more sense, but Qualcomm has none yet. The Moto Mod is probably just a USB-connected peripheral after all.
I have a z3 and I like it. But, this is ridiculously expensive. I am on a grandfathered Verizon plan. I get 8gb for $50. Even if 5g comes to the Cleveland area, I won't be paying what they want for it.
I cannot agree with this enough. I just can fathom on WHAT planet we need our single-screened cellphones to have the data speeds to be able to watch 6 4k shows simultaneously.
The usage scenarios where such absurdly fast data rates would benefit users the most would be tethering, but even Verizon's "unlimited" plans allow only a paltry 10 or 15 GB of tethering. (Not sure how they got around that FCC ruling regarding data discrimination on their LTE spectrum.... wouldn't it be nice to have Verizon money/power???)
5G actually sparks a bit of ire and wrath in my heart. Fix your 4G LTE network properly before you start pushing your next fancy buzzword. Most customers would like to just get consistently good 4G speeds
If you have to THROTTLE customers when they hit 22GB because your network can't handle the load, fix that FIRST.
I mean I can understand if it helps the infrastructure by only taking a half second to burst down my entire YouTube video and then be back to idle and process some other request but hey that's something they should be paying for themselves as it lets them multiplex more people per tower. It's ZERO added value to me yet they keep marketing it like the second coming...
Don't have a grandfathered unlimited data plan and try and buy the 5g mod. I don't understand if the internet is going to be unlimited, what is the problem with having a unlimited wifi hotspot. But Verizon won't play ball. But the funny thing is that Verizon told me I had to get the data plan I have this very day.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
16 Comments
Back to Article
lmcd - Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - link
Wait so it's basically a new smartphone????baka_toroi - Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - link
Just like the old times, when the C64 Disk Drive had it's own 6502 processor.Yo, dawg, I heard you like processors...
jordanclock - Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - link
Sure, if you don't mind that it's missing LTE/3G, sound, a display, all sensors, a camera or, ya know, all of the other features of a modern smartphone.But you're right that it does contain a full fledged Snapdragon SoC. Qualcomm was so interested in getting a 5G modem out as fast as possible, they put out the X50 that requires a SD855 to work, but have since announced the X55, which can work with other SoCs and non-5G frquencies.
Zok - Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - link
It has LTE. FTA:"Besides the chips, the 5G Moto Mod also integrates 10 antennas: four Qualcomm’s QTM052 for mmWave radio, two antennas for sub-6 GHz connectivity, and four for 4G/LTE."
NICOXIS - Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - link
So your modem's CPU is faster than your main CPU...Penti - Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - link
This is why I'm not overly enthusiastic about Qualcomm's early 5G NR-modem's/radio's.To use the X50 they need the 855 SoC which already has a fully featured modem built in, and when they want to add the X50 modem to the Z3 they therefore also needs to pack in the 855. A proper discrete modem that could be paired with the existing SoC (over USB or whatever) would make much more sense, but Qualcomm has none yet. The Moto Mod is probably just a USB-connected peripheral after all.
skavi - Thursday, March 14, 2019 - link
X55Penti - Thursday, March 14, 2019 - link
Doesn't matter if it's the X50 or X55 it still needs to be paired with the 855.Enkur - Thursday, March 14, 2019 - link
X55 does not require 855 to be paired with it.darjen - Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - link
I have a z3 and I like it. But, this is ridiculously expensive. I am on a grandfathered Verizon plan. I get 8gb for $50. Even if 5g comes to the Cleveland area, I won't be paying what they want for it.06GTOSC - Thursday, March 14, 2019 - link
Just wait a few years. Full 5G deployment is going to take time.Gunbuster - Thursday, March 14, 2019 - link
Wait, you are not lining up to pay extra for the capability to blow through your entire months data plan in 21 seconds?SirKronan - Thursday, March 14, 2019 - link
I cannot agree with this enough. I just can fathom on WHAT planet we need our single-screened cellphones to have the data speeds to be able to watch 6 4k shows simultaneously.The usage scenarios where such absurdly fast data rates would benefit users the most would be tethering, but even Verizon's "unlimited" plans allow only a paltry 10 or 15 GB of tethering. (Not sure how they got around that FCC ruling regarding data discrimination on their LTE spectrum.... wouldn't it be nice to have Verizon money/power???)
5G actually sparks a bit of ire and wrath in my heart. Fix your 4G LTE network properly before you start pushing your next fancy buzzword. Most customers would like to just get consistently good 4G speeds
If you have to THROTTLE customers when they hit 22GB because your network can't handle the load, fix that FIRST.
SirKronan - Thursday, March 14, 2019 - link
Supposed to say "can't fathom". Not sure why my autocorrect did that there ...Gunbuster - Thursday, March 14, 2019 - link
I mean I can understand if it helps the infrastructure by only taking a half second to burst down my entire YouTube video and then be back to idle and process some other request but hey that's something they should be paying for themselves as it lets them multiplex more people per tower. It's ZERO added value to me yet they keep marketing it like the second coming...Rjeff3223 - Saturday, June 1, 2019 - link
Don't have a grandfathered unlimited data plan and try and buy the 5g mod. I don't understand if the internet is going to be unlimited, what is the problem with having a unlimited wifi hotspot. But Verizon won't play ball. But the funny thing is that Verizon told me I had to get the data plan I have this very day.