ZTE demos prototype phone capable of 1Gbps speeds at MWC, powered by Snapdragon 835

This week in Barcelona at MWC, ZTE is showing off a new prototype “Gigabit Phone.” It’s a device capable of reaching download speeds of up to 1Gbps, the fastest we’ve seen to date on a mobile device.

This device is capable of those quick speeds thanks to a number of factors, starting with the company’s independently-developed Pre5G Giga+ MBB solution, which pairs with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X16 LTE modem to increase signal strength and improve data processing capability to the connected network. That LTE modem comes courtesy of the Snapdragon 835 chipset which can also be found powering the device.

ZTE claims that this new “Gigabit Phone” is three times as powerful when it comes to processing data on a network, and it says that the quick speeds and ZTE’s strength in 5G systems and networks will “enhance [the mobile experience] to an unimaginable level.” A ZTE spokesperson said had the following to say regarding the launch:

We are thrilled to introduce the world’s first smartphone with download speeds up to 1Gbps. With the new device, the way people stay connected will be changed forever. Focusing on 5G technologies will be one of the key priorities of ZTE’s global development. ZTE will be very glad to leverage its technology strength and experience in 5G to cooperate with government and business partners to discuss and facilitate the upcoming 5G era.

Obviously, it will be a while before both 5G coverage and phones capable of the networks, such as this prototype device from ZTE, hit the open market, but needless to say, it’s all pretty exciting…