Methods, systems, and devices are described for adaptive digital pre-distortion (DPD). A wireless device may identify a transmission parameter, such as data rate or transmission power, for a signal to be transmitted by a wireless modem. The wireless device may then select a power amplification response based on whether the transmission parameter exceeds a threshold. A non-linear power amplification response may be selected in cases when the data rate is low or the transmission power is high. A linear power amplification response may be selected when the data rate is high or the transmission power is low. The power amplification response may be achieved by digital distortion of the signal prior to power amplification, so selection of the response may involve adjusting a DPD compensation circuit. In some cases, the output for the non-linear response may be characterized by a Rapp model.