Qualcomm announces its next generation XR and AR platforms

Qualcomm Technologies has announced two new spatial computing platforms – Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 and Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 – that will enable the next generation of mixed reality (MR), virtual reality (VR) devices and smart glasses.

Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 Platform: The platform brings premium MR and VR technology into a single chip architecture to unlock next level immersive experiences in thinner and more comfortable headsets, that don’t require an external battery pack.  

Engineered to deliver a lag free experience with breathtaking visuals and fully immersive sound, the platform allows users to blend virtual content with their physical surroundings and transition seamlessly between MR and VR experiences. 

Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 Platform: The platform is uniquely designed with power optimizations for a thermal budget to enable sleek, lightweight smart glasses that offer an unmatched experience. 

The platform enables the user to capture, share or live-stream hands-free, directly from the glasses. In addition, on-device AI enables personal assistant experiences such as audio quality enhancement, visual search, and real-time translation. Lastly, support for a visual heads-up display can enable content consumption, including video that blend seamlessly in the users’ field of view. 

The merger of physical and digital spaces is a significant opportunity for Qualcomm Technologies. These next generation platforms were developed in close collaboration with Meta and will commercially debut on Meta devices in 2023: Meta Quest 3 powered by Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 Platform, and Ray Ban Meta collection powered by Snapdragon AR1 Platform. With other manufacturers to follow next year, leading XR players continue to choose Snapdragon as the preferred platform.  

“At Meta, we’re focused on developing the technologies of the future in mixed reality and smart glasses, as well as the foundational innovations that will one day power our vision for AR glasses,” said Andrew “Boz” Bosworth, Meta’s CTO and Head of Reality Labs. “Building this future computing platform requires an industry-leading partner and this is where our long-standing collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies is critical. Together, we are defining next-generation technologies that deliver massive breakthroughs in power, performance, and AI. The latest Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 and Snapdragon AR1 Platforms, which power Meta Quest 3 and our next-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, are another testament to the strength of this collaboration and we are thrilled for users around the world to experience them.”  

“Qualcomm Technologies has a relentless commitment to build technologies and solutions that will transform the future of computing. The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 and Snapdragon AR1 Platforms are the latest purpose-built processors that are designed to power the next generation of MR and VR devices and sleek smart glasses for all,” said Hugo Swart, vice president and GM of XR, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “The commercial debut of these two platforms with Meta is a further step forward in realizing our joint vision - unlocking premium, all-in-one XR devices and smart glasses that are affordable to users around the globe.”