Qualcomm, a leading mobile processor manufacturer, has unveiled its Snapdragon XR2+ chip, designed to power virtual and mixed-reality headsets. This new chip is set to challenge Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro.
Based in San Diego, California, Qualcomm’s latest chip will support high-definition cameras, a feature expected to be utilised by tech giants like Samsung Electronics and Google in their upcoming products.
This innovation is Qualcomm’s response to the growing interest in mixed-reality devices, sparked by Apple’s announcement of its mixed-reality headset. Qualcomm’s chips have been pivotal in driving other companies’ ventures into this emerging market, despite the category still needing to achieve widespread popularity.
Mixed reality combines elements of augmented and virtual reality. Augmented reality overlays digital information onto the real-world view, while virtual reality immerses users in a completely digital environment. Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta Platforms’ Quest 3 headset blend these technologies. Qualcomm has previously contributed chips to devices from Microsoft and Meta.
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Qualcomm’s XR2+ chip, embedded in upcoming headsets, promises significant improvements. Its processors and graphics components offer up to 20% enhanced performance, enabling 4K resolution on each lens. As explained by Qualcomm’s senior director of product management, Said Bakadir, this advancement is expected to mitigate eye strain from reading, reduce motion sickness risks, and support the introduction of innovative features. The chip’s capacity to manage multiple cameras will improve depth perception and eye tracking, which is crucial for user orientation and interaction with the real world.
Bakadir emphasises the public’s desire for more powerful technology to explore new possibilities. Qualcomm is collaborating with several partners, including Google and Samsung. Upcoming customer announcements are anticipated at the following week’s CES show, with products potentially hitting the market this year.
