Read Qualcomm’s modem comparison with separate columns for streams, radio carriers and data rates. The February 11, 2016 X16 release specified downloads up to 1 Gbps. The February 21, 2017 X20 release specified up to 1.2 Gbps. Those are vendor peak downlink capabilities, not average speeds observed on a network, and the dates identify which generation each figure describes. [x16][x20]

For X16, Qualcomm described receiving ten downlink data streams using three carriers of 20 MHz each. The same release listed support for aggregating up to four 20 MHz downlink carriers. These statements answer different questions: one describes the cited stream configuration, while the other gives supported aggregation capacity. Four carriers should not be rewritten as a requirement for that three-carrier example. [x16]

For X20, Qualcomm described twelve simultaneous receive streams on as few as three 20 MHz carriers. The twelve belong explicitly to the downlink: data arriving at the device. The release separately specified uplink speeds up to 150 Mbps, a ceiling also stated for X16. Moving the stream count into an upload comparison would change the meaning of the announcement. [x20][x16]

A compact reading sheet can therefore retain each generation’s date, downlink stream count, stated carrier configuration and peak bit rate without merging them into a single bigger-is-better score. MHz labels carrier bandwidth; Mbps and Gbps label data rates; streams count parallel receive paths. Preserving those labels makes the technical change legible while leaving actual device and network performance unmeasured by this comparison. [x16][x20]

Source documents

  1. Qualcomm Extends Connectivity Leadership with Second Generation Gigabit LTE Modemhttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qualcomm-extends-connectivity-leadership-with-second-generation-gigabit-lte-modem-300410411.html
  2. Qualcomm Announces Mobile Industry’s First Gigabit Class LTE Modemhttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qualcomm-announces-mobile-industrys-first-gigabit-class-lte-modem-300218626.html