Quantum technology is a technological subsection that draws on the principles of quantum mechanics. Quantum technology poses the potential to advance numerous sectors, particularly mobile technology.
Quantum mechanics is a subdivision of physics that centers around the study of sub-atomic particles. Though quantum mechanics is an incredibly complex discipline, in reality, we use quantum technology every day without even realizing it. Take for example the smartphone, a type of quantum technology that is powered by semiconductors, which work according to the doctrines of quantum mechanics.
Fifty years after quantum technology came into being through the development of nuclear power, the latest feats of engineering are harnessing more of the potential of quantum mechanics. It was only relatively recently that humankind gained the ability to control quantum superposition and quantum entanglement. Quantum technology has paved the way for the development of a vast array of everyday gadgets, including navigation and timing systems, more accurate healthcare imaging thanks to quantum sensing, more powerful computing, and more secure communications. All of these applications pose the potential to disrupt entire industries, creating significant scope for evolution and revolution.
Quantum Expertise
In the United Kingdom, the UK government has invested around $500 million in developing the country’s quantum expertise since 2015. Much of that money has been invested in four university hubs. Though these hubs have produced some exciting developments, to date, they have provided little in terms of a substantial return on investment.
Meanwhile in the United States, the federal government has also been investing heavily in quantum technology since 2020, having allocated $672 million that year, and more than $2.8 billion in funding since. Congress allocated an additional $968 million to the National Quantum Initiative in 2024 to continue such research.
The average smartphone contains billions of semiconductor elements and other transistors which, based on the principles of quantum mechanics, essentially serve as the building blocks of digital electronic logic. Thanks to quantum physics, it is possible to design silicon-based materials in these integrated circuits. Experts predict that going forward, smartphones will integrate modern quantum technologies more and more, leveraging advancements such as quantum key distribution to physically secure communications and quantum sensors to provide more precise navigation tools.
Enhancing Smartphone Security
Joining forces with SK Telecom, mobile phone giant Samsung was the first to leverage quantum technology to enhance smartphone security. Released in May 2020, the Samsung Galaxy A Quantum incorporated the world’s smallest quantum random number generator (QRNG), a chipset designed to enhance on-device data security.
Reflecting on the organization’s collaboration with Samsung, SK Telecom explained that the chipset was designed to generate unpredictable, patternless, random numbers, thereby enhancing security. The Galaxy A Quantum’s dedicated chip was designed to prevent hackers from stealing data even if they were in possession of the handset.
Random number generators today form the backbone of many security solutions. Nevertheless, not all random number generators were created equal, and with some systems, numbers generated are not always random enough. Today, pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs) are widespread. Although PRNGs present a cost-effective solution, their behavior is more predictable than QRNGs, representing a weak spot in cryptography that many hackers are capable of exploiting.
In an increasingly digitized world, with consumers heavily reliant on their handheld devices, quantum-enhanced smartphone security has gained significant traction. Easy to leverage, ultra-secure, and simple and affordable to embed, QRNG has proven to be a game-changer for phone manufacturers, app developers, telecom operators, and end-users alike.
Increased Demand for Innovative Security Solutions
With consumers using their smartphones to complete a myriad of daily activities—from work emails to mobile banking to messaging over social media—handsets have become a treasure trove of personal information, increasing demand for innovative security solutions. Apps collate and transmit vast troves of sensitive information. If recent years have taught us anything, it is the critical importance of secure digital services as an essential element in a functional society. With mobile phones becoming a major component in the daily lives of consumers, enabling them to buy, sell, communicate, and pay their bills, there is no other interface that holds more personal and confidential data, making smartphones a prime target for bad players.
In September 2024, Samsung launched the Quantum Galaxy 5, its latest offering featuring a quantum cybersecurity chip to make Internet banking and other online transactions more secure. Developed in partnership with SK Telecom along with the quantum cybersecurity company ID Quantique, the new model is currently only available in South Korea.
Integrating an ID Quantique QRNG chipset alongside the Samsung Knox authentication, encryption, and security platform, the Quantum Galaxy 5 is capable of securing sensitive data such as the fingerprints and face ID used for screen unlocking. The handset’s security protocols also protect on-device data, as well as that stored in external memory. Reflecting on the model’s launch, Yoo Chul-joon, head of SK Telecom’s Smart Device CT Department, pointed out that the Galaxy Quantum 5 offered security and AI capabilities at a reasonable price. The new model ensures a smooth, secure, and convenient telecommunications experience.