Qualcomm’s latest chip promises to take smart glasses to a new level

Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon Reality Elite chip at the Augmented World Expo in Long Beach on Tuesday, positioning it as a breakthrough for augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality devices. The chip delivers 60% improved graphics, 30% faster CPU performance, and 160% more AI processing power compared to its predecessor, enabling AR glasses to rival smartphone capabilities. The new technology will power smart glasses from Ray-Ban, Snapchat, and Inspecs, allowing users to play music, get directions, and order items via voice commands. Qualcomm’s Nima Shams emphasized that the glasses will provide personalized AI-driven experiences by processing data on-device. Qualcomm’s near-monopoly in wearable tech was highlighted by Ori Inbar, founder of AWE XR, as the company has been a leader in this space since its inception. Despite challenges in miniaturizing high-performance computing into wearable form factors, Qualcomm’s partnerships with XREAL, Android, Google, and Snapchat aim to accelerate consumer adoption. The company launched the Scalable Turnkey AI-Ready Toolkit (START) program to license AI models to AR glass manufacturers, simplifying development for brands like Inspecs, which represents 22 brands including O’Neill and Caterpillar. Snapchat’s latest Spectacles, powered by Qualcomm, will retail for $2,195 and ship this fall, with CEO Evan Spiegel calling them a ‘very different kind of computer.’ While AR adoption remains limited, Qualcomm’s advancements and strategic partnerships suggest the consumer market is moving closer to reality.