The FRITZ!Box 6850 5G is AVM's first all-in-one 5G router: a Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 modem, 5G SA and NSA, and all the FRITZ! features. Real-world speeds of up to 800 Mbit/s make a convincing case.
Technical specifications
| 5G modem | Qualcomm Snapdragon X55, Sub-6 GHz |
|---|---|
| 5G modes | Standalone (SA) + Non-Standalone (NSA) |
| 5G bands | 11 Sub-6 GHz bands (n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n40/n41/n78) |
| 4G LTE bands | 13 bands, 4x4 MIMO |
| 3G fallback | 3 UMTS bands |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac: up to 1,300 Mbit/s combined |
| LAN ports | 4x Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB | 1x USB 3.0 |
| Antennas | 2x external SMA |
| DECT | Base station for 6 cordless phones |
| VPN | WireGuard + IPSec |
| Approximate price | Around 450-500 euros |
The Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 modem
The Qualcomm X55 is the same chipset found in high-end 5G smartphones. It supports 5G SA and NSA across 11 Sub-6 GHz bands, including the crucial n78 (3.5 GHz) used by every European operator. 4x4 MIMO across the 13 4G bands delivers strong performance even without 5G.
Real-world 5G performance
- Optimal 5G (close to the cell, n78): 500-800 Mbit/s download
- Average 5G (urban): 200-400 Mbit/s download
- Weak 5G / 4G LTE: 50-150 Mbit/s download
The smart alignment aid guides antenna positioning in real time. With external directional antennas (SMA), you can improve reception in marginal areas.
The bottleneck: Wi-Fi AC
The main weak point: Wi-Fi AC (not Wi-Fi 6) with a maximum of 1,300 Mbit/s combined. When 5G tops 500 Mbit/s, the built-in wireless becomes the bottleneck. To make the most of 5G speeds, you are better off using wired Gigabit Ethernet.
The FRITZ! ecosystem
VoIP telephone exchange, DECT base station, DECT ULE smart home, VPN (WireGuard + IPSec), parental controls, NAS via USB 3.0 and FRITZ!Mesh. A complete home router powered by the mobile network.
6850 5G vs 6850 LTE: is the upgrade worth it?
- Good 5G coverage: speeds 3-5 times higher. A significant upgrade.
- Only 4G available: it works with 4x4 MIMO (potentially better than the 6850 LTE), but at almost double the price.
Final rating
| Design | 4/5 |
|---|---|
| 5G performance | 5/5 |
| Features | 5/5 |
| Setup | 4/5 |
| Value for money | 4/5 |
| OVERALL SCORE | 4,5/5 |
Our verdict: The best 5G router for overall features. The Qualcomm X55 delivers performance and compatibility. The one compromise: Wi-Fi AC.
Conclusion
The most complete 5G router on the market. Speeds of up to 800 Mbit/s, the full FRITZ! ecosystem and the Qualcomm X55. The only regret is Wi-Fi AC: with Wi-Fi 6 it would have been perfect. If you have 5G coverage and want a router that does it all, it is the number one choice.
Read also: our FRITZ! reviews
- FRITZ!Box 7690: Wi-Fi 7 Router with Zigbee and DECT
- FRITZ!Repeater 6000: Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 with 2.5 GbE
- FRITZ!Repeater 3000 AX: Affordable Tri-Band
- FRITZ!Repeater 1200 AX: Compact and Inexpensive
- FRITZ!Box 6850 LTE: Complete 4G Internet
- FRITZ!Box 7590 AX: The Wi-Fi 6 DSL Bestseller
FRITZ!Box 6850 5G
Translated from the Italian original. Read in Italian
