Qualcomm has introduced the highly anticipated Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, set to power the next wave of extended reality (XR) headsets, catering to augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR) devices. Major tech players, including Samsung and Google, are expected to incorporate this chipset into their future headset offerings.
The Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 boasts a remarkable 4.3K display resolution for each eye, delivering immersive experiences with enhanced clarity, depth, and color. The upgraded GPU and CPU, featuring a 15% boost in GPU performance and a 20% increase in CPU max frequency compared to its predecessor. The chipset to offer a crisp visuals and faster frequency rates, ensuring a seamless and jitter-free XR experience.
One of the standout features of the new platform is its powerful on-device artificial intelligence (AI), capable of supporting 12 or more concurrent cameras. This advanced AI facilitates precise tracking of head movements, hand gestures, controllers, facial expressions, depth estimation, and 3D reconstruction.
The chipset further enhances the XR experience with a full-color, ultra-fast 12ms video see-through, allowing users to seamlessly transition between the real and virtual worlds with enhanced visual fidelity. The in-built architecture enables thinner and more comfortable headsets, integrating premium MR and VR technologies into a single chip.
With support for Qualcomm’s Fast Connect Mobile Connectivity System, the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 ensures lag-free and shared XR experiences. The inclusion of ultra-fast Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 and 5.2 wireless connectivity provides 60% higher throughput and 50% lower latency, offering a truly boundless XR experience.
Despite the exciting features and advancements, Qualcomm has yet to announce the release timeline for the first devices equipped with this chipset. However, industry observers anticipate that new headsets with this chipset could pose strong competition to Apple Vision Pro.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 platform sets a new standard for extended reality experiences, pushing the boundaries of display resolution, on-device AI capabilities, and wireless connectivity.
