Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sound Elite is a new AI chip for audio wearables

Qualcomm

Qualcomm has launched the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 chip for the next generation of audio devices with AI features. This model will enable more powerful on-device AI capabilities for earbuds, headphones, audio glasses (perhaps similar to the new Ray-Ban Meta Audio) and camera-equipped earbuds like the AirPods Apple is reportedly developing. Qualcomm says the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 has twice the AI capabilities of its predecessor, the Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform.

"As AI becomes a core capability, users will increasingly expect more natural ways to interact with it," said Ziad Asghar, Qualcomm Senior Vice President and General Manager for XR, Wearables and Personal AI. "Those interactions won't always happen through a screen. They will happen through natural conversations, where users can simply speak to an AI assistant and receive help in real time." Asghar added that the new chip will give devices the power to offer features, such as real-time on-device translation and the ability to amplify sounds and conversations for those who are hard of hearing.

The chip comes with support for Qualcomm's aptX Lossless technology for immersive audio quality, as well as for the company's XPAN wireless audio technology that combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to extend the range of devices. Its Wi-Fi 6E connectivity enables faster speeds that Qualcomm says makes always-available AI possible without affecting the device's battery and sound quality.