A novel and useful linear, efficient, smart wideband CMOS hybrid power amplifier that combined an analog linear amplification path and a digital power amplification (DPA) path. PA path control logic analyzes the input I and Q signals and determines which amplification paths to steer the input I and Q signals to. The analog linear amplification path comprises digital to analog converters for both I and Q paths and one or more analog linear power amplifiers. The digital power amplification path comprises I and Q up-sampling circuits and I and Q RF DAC circuits (e.g., digital PA circuits). In operation, the PA path control logic compares the I and Q signals to thresholds (which may or may not be different) and based on the comparisons, selects one or more paths for the input I and Q signals. Whether the signals from the analog and digital amplification paths are to be combined or selected (i.e. switched), the PA path control circuit is operative to generate select (switch) control signals which are applied to summer/selector elements which generate the output of the hybrid PA.