Qualcomm is embarking on a journey beyond 5G by envisioning 6G as not just the next cellular upgrade but as a comprehensive platform for intelligence. Traditional cellular aspects like increased capacity, extensive coverage, and decreased latency remain fundamental. However, Qualcomm is expanding these capabilities by integrating connectivity, computation, and AI, thereby supporting novel applications and devices. This evolution was prominently displayed at Mobile World Congress 2026 through Qualcomm’s various technological demonstrations.
According to John Smee, Qualcomm’s SVP of Engineering and Head of Wireless Research, designing each succeeding cellular generation involves embracing new priorities. He emphasizes that 6G is constructed with a broader perspective on network capabilities, where AI is not merely a facet but a core design principle. As Smee pointed out, “AI is not just a use case.”
In 6G, AI extends from the wireless air interface through to endpoints, encompassing both personal and physical AI. Personal AI applications could revolutionize the function of smartphones and other devices like AR glasses and medical wearables. Qualcomm showcased innovations like AI Recall, allowing smart glasses to remember and locate objects for users. Such experiences leverage distributed compute, where AI operations collaborate across devices and network edges, optimizing based on varying conditions.
Sensing is expected to play a crucial role in 6G for delivering novel operator services. Smee mentions, “Sensing is incredibly powerful.” Cellular networks, with their extensive footprints, can facilitate new capabilities like integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), paving the way for digital twins and additional applications. By applying AI to create digital twins, Qualcomm aims to reflect the physical world, utilizing RF sensing on both network and device sides.
Moreover, physical AI applications connect 6G to future robotics and vision-language-action models. In industrial and humanoid systems, wireless communication will be essential for data transfers, action coordination, and training. As Smee notes, adapting to the rapid changes in the field is necessary: “You’re not plugging in those mobile robots to train them. You’re doing that over wireless.”
The journey from vision to 6G commercial success, targeted for 2029, involves not only technical advancements but also ecosystem collaboration. Early partner engagements indicate momentum across various sectors like infrastructure, applications, and new device categories. Smee acknowledges that though “there’s a lot of work to be done,” the exciting milestones ahead will turn the ambitious 6G vision into reality, thereby redefining the telecommunications landscape.
