Qualcomm releases the world's first enterprise-class mobile processor with integrated RFID functionality

A disruptive technological revolution is quietly underway in the enterprise mobile processor space: Qualcomm Technologies has announced the launch of the groundbreaking new Qualcomm Q-6690 processor. This processor's most notable feature is its status as the world's first enterprise mobile processor to fully integrate ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) functionality. This integration significantly eliminates the need for external RFID Reader modules, enabling smaller and more efficient devices. For retail, logistics, and industrial sectors, this design plays a key role in security-critical contactless use cases, enabling more convenient support for Access Control, Asset tracking, inventory management, and product authentication, providing the hardware foundation for optimizing industry operational processes. Beyond core integrated RFID functionality, the Qualcomm Q-6690 also excels in connectivity and interactivity. Built-in 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and Ultra Wideband technologies ensure superior global connectivity and support proximity-aware experiences. At the same time, it combines integrated RFID with AI and advanced connectivity technologies to enable edge devices in the retail, commercial, and industrial sectors to connect, compute, and interact in a more intelligent, proximity-aware manner, further enhancing the intelligence of these devices and the user experience.

The Qualcomm Q-6690 also demonstrates strong capabilities in terms of device form factor support and platform flexibility. Designed to support a wide range of device form factors, from ruggedized handheld devices to retail POS systems and smart Library-self-service-borrowing-and-returning-machine-source-manufacturer-UHF-touch-screen-borrowing-and-returning-machine.html target='_blank'>self-service kiosks, it provides a scalable and upgradeable platform for OEMs and ODMs. Furthermore, the processor features software-configurable feature packs that can be upgraded over-the-air (OTA). OEMs can flexibly select the appropriate solution based on computing requirements, multimedia capabilities, camera support, or desired peripheral configurations, and can implement OTA upgrades without redesigning the hardware. This modular approach offers multiple advantages, not only accelerating time to market and reducing certification overhead, but also enabling OEMs to implement OTA upgrades in real-time based on evolving customer needs, effectively extending product lifecycles, saving costs, and better meeting market dynamics.

Highly Recognized

Art Miller, Vice President and Head of Retail at Qualcomm Technologies, expressed high hopes for this processor. He said, "The Qualcomm Q-6690 integrates RFID, AI, and next-generation wireless connectivity into a single, scalable platform designed to accelerate innovation across a wide range of industries, including retail, logistics, and manufacturing. We are excited to be working with retailers who are demanding not only powerful and connected platforms but also platforms that adapt to evolving customer expectations, including smarter kiosks and handhelds, real-time inventory analytics, and contactless experiences." This innovative processor has also received strong recognition and support from numerous industry partners. Leading OEMs such as Zebra Technologies, Honeywell, Ublox, HMD Secure, and CipherLab will be among the first to adopt the platform. Commercial devices are expected to be available in the coming months, meaning consumers and businesses will soon be able to experience new devices based on this processor. Ecosystem partners such as Decathlon, Essilor Luxottica, and the RAIN Alliance have also given the Qualcomm Q-6690 high praise. Hervé D’Halluin, Head of RFID and Traceability at Decathlon Group, said: “At Decathlon, we are constantly striving to enhance the customer experience and optimize operations. Since 2004, we have fully adopted RFID technology across our entire value chain. As of 2019, 100% of our products use RAIN RFID tags. Now, the Qualcomm Q-6690, with its fully integrated RFID and AI capabilities, is a game-changer. It will help us maximize operational efficiency, create a smarter in-Store customer experience, and support our sustainability goals by enhancing product traceability.”

Fabio, Head of Business Process Innovation at Essilor Luxottica Napol said: "At Essilor Luxottica, we believe that integrating RFID functionality into commercial terminals is an important catalyst for reshaping the way consumers interact with products. This will not only enable richer and more personalized interactive experiences, but also open up new areas for innovation. Based on the company's accumulated technical expertise in supporting NFC technology applications, we believe that this upgrade will unleash greater potential. It paves the way for scalable, fashionable and forward-looking design solutions - especially in categories such as eyewear where aesthetics are paramount - thereby delivering an excellent, consumer-centric experience and setting a new benchmark for the industry." Aileen, President and CEO of RAIN Alliance Ryan sees the launch of Qualcomm's Q-6690 processor as a sign of significant industry change. She noted, "Qualcomm Technologies' integration of RFID (also known as RAIN technology) into the Q-6690 empowers retailers and logistics companies to equip every employee with a RAIN-enabled terminal. This unlocks unprecedented productivity and sales growth potential through digital product pasSports, the circular economy, automated checkout, product authentication, asset tracking, and inventory management. This signals a significant shift that will drive the adoption of the Internet of Things, reshape the industry landscape, and create new markets."

It will significantly boost the development of the RFID industry.

Qualcomm's launch of the Q-6690 processor, the world's first enterprise-grade mobile processor with integrated RFID functionality, is reshaping the RFID industry through technological integration and ecosystem collaboration. The following analysis focuses on two dimensions: technological breakthroughs and the industry ecosystem. 1. Technological Breakthrough: A Qualitative Change from "External Module" to "Chip-Level Integration." Hardware Architecture Innovation: The Q-6690 fully integrates ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID functionality into the processor core, completely eliminating the need for a separate RFID Module in traditional solutions. This integrated architecture brings three changes: Size and power consumption optimization: Device size can be reduced by 30%-50%, and power consumption can be reduced by over 40% (for example, the battery life of logistics handheld terminals can be extended to over 12 hours), significantly improving usability in mobile scenarios. RF coexistence capability: Supports simultaneous operation with communication modules such as 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0 without interference. For example, in smart warehousing, the device can simultaneously read RFID tags and transmit data to the cloud, achieving real-time "read-while-transmit" response. Edge computing enhancements: Integrated AI computing power (such as TensorFlow Lite support) can process RFID data directly on the device. For example, in retail scenarios, it can analyze shelf out-of-stock rates in real time and trigger replenishment instructions without relying on the cloud. Compatibility and standardization breakthroughs: The processor supports mainstream tag protocols such as Impinj M700/M800 and NXP UCODE, and has been officially certified by the RAIN Alliance (a global RFID standards alliance). This means businesses can seamlessly migrate without replacing existing tag assets. For example, Decathlon's already deployed 100% RAIN RFID tags can be directly adapted, saving millions of dollars in conversion costs. Second, the industry ecosystem: Reconstructing from "single-point applications" to "full-chain collaboration." Equipment manufacturers are responding quickly: Leading manufacturers such as Zebra Technologies and Honeywell have announced their adoption of the Yuelong Q-6690 platform, planning to launch a new generation of integrated RFID handheld terminals, POS terminals, and self-service devices by the end of 2025. This vertical integration of "chip-device-solution" will shorten the time-to-market for RFID equipment by over 50%. For example, Ubox's logistics terminals took only six months from R&D to mass production. An open software ecosystem: Qualcomm's software-configurable feature packs allow OEMs to flexibly adjust RFID read/write parameters (such as power and anti-collision algorithms) over-the-air (OTA) without hardware modifications. For example, Essilor Luxottica can dynamically adjust tag reading distance (from 0.5 meters to 3 meters) based on the eyewear retail scenario and support multilingual data parsing (such as mixed Chinese/French tags). Industry Standards and Compliance Upgrades: The RAIN Alliance predicts that Qualcomm's participation will drive the global penetration of UHF RFID from 38% in 2024 to 65% in 2030, accelerating the implementation of new applications such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP). For example, the full lifecycle traceability of batteries required by the EU's new battery regulation can be quickly achieved through RFID-integrated mobile devices. The release of Qualcomm's Q-6690 marks a new stage in the RFID industry's transition from a "hardware-driven" approach to a dual-engine "chip + ecosystem" approach. Its significance lies not only in the technology integration itself, but also in its ability to transform RFID from a "efficiency Tool" to a "business innovation engine" through its standardized, low-power, and intelligent features. With large-scale adoption by manufacturers like Zebra and Honeywell, and proven use by end users like Decathlon and Essilor, RFID technology is rapidly penetrating beyond traditional sectors like logistics and retail into emerging sectors like smart manufacturing and the circular economy. The market for enterprise-grade mobile devices with integrated RFID functionality is projected to exceed $20 billion by 2030, becoming a core infrastructure driving the digital transformation of the global supply chain.