Qualcomm presents powerful Snapdragon chips for next-gen AR and VR devices

Qualcomm has introduced two new Snapdragon chips developed in collaboration with Meta to power the next generation of headsets and smart glasses.

The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 is a high-performance chip with significantly improved GPU performance and AI processing speeds, making it ideal for mixed reality devices with impressive display resolutions and graphics capabilities. It also supports quick transitions between VR and AR modes and offers enhanced camera support and wireless speeds.

For lightweight smart glasses, Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip, featuring improved on-device AI processing, noise cancellation, and image quality. This chip can accommodate high-resolution cameras and spatial sound recording, enhancing the overall user experience.

Both chips are set to debut in the Quest 3 headset and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, scheduled for release in October, with other manufacturers expected to adopt the technology in the coming year.

This collaboration with Meta gives the company an initial advantage, but the wider availability of these chips in 2024 promises exciting developments in the world of augmented and virtual reality.