First 5G phones from Qualcomm and moto for Verizon's 5G

Qualcomm worked with Motorola on the development of the new moto z3 and 5G moto mod, the world’s first mobile device with access to Verizon’s upcoming mobile 5G network. . The new moto z3 is the first 5G-upgradeable smartphone, which will let you tap into Verizon’s 5G network by simply snapping on the 5G moto mod.

This moment comes after years of arduous work with the rest of the mobile ecosystem, to bring to life a new “G”. It began with cutting-edge wireless R&D, leading to foundational inventions that have become part of the 5G standard, the world’s first 5G modem chip, advanced prototypes that made early interoperability testing with leading network infrastructure vendors possible, and most recently, the world’s first mmWave antenna modules for mobile devices.

The moto z3 with 5G moto mod is the first fruit of this labor and is set to ignite a new revolution in mobility, featuring an innovative design powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G and X24 LTE modems, along with the groundbreaking QTM052 mmWave antenna modules. The moto z3 is powered by the Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform. Once the 5G moto mod is attached to its back, it gains the ability to access mmWave 5G using the Snapdragon X50 5G modem, and the latest in 4G technology with the Snapdragon X24 LTE modem.

Supporting 5G NR, the true global standard for 5G, the 5G moto mod defies the odds — a mobile 5G device capable of unprecedented cellular speeds using mmWave technology — something thought to be impossible a few years ago. And it is a testament to the tenacity of pioneers like Qualcomm Technologies, Motorola, and Verizon, that are forging a new path in wireless technology.

Verizon will be first to launch 5G residential broadband service in four markets in the U.S. – including Houston, Los Angeles, Sacramento and one additional city, to be named – in the second half of 2018, followed by a mobile 5G solution in 2019.

The moto z3 with 5G moto mod will take full advantage of Verizon’s mobile 5G service over millimeter wave spectrum for massive bandwidth, ultra-high speeds and single-digit millisecond latency. 5G will improve the experience for all types of gaming, virtual and augmented reality applications, and for anyone that needs real-time speeds for work and play.

The moto z3 will be available in the U.S. exclusively through Verizon starting on August 16 at $20 a month for 24 months on Verizon’s device payment plan ($480 retail; 0% APR). To make it easier to move to 5G once the network becomes available next year, we’re offering up to $300 off a new moto z3 on our device payment plan when you switch to Verizon and trade-in your old phone****.

Pricing and availability for the 5G moto mod will be announced later this year.