Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 and AR1 Gen 1 launch to deliver thinner next-gen headsets and smart glasses

Qualcomm has debuted a dedicated chipset for AR use-cases that is a spin-off from its series developed for  "premium mixed reality (MR) and VR technology" for the first time in 2023. Accordingly, the 2 platforms are called the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 and XR2 Gen 2 respectively.

The OEM asserts that the XR2 Gen 2 can be used to make slimmer and more ergonomic headsets by gathering all the features such hardware would need onto a "single chip architecture". They include a GPU rated for up to 2.5 times the performance of its predecessor; Wi-Fi 6E to 7; a "next-gen" Spectra ISP and support for Snapdragon Sound.

The XR2 Gen 2 can also support the design of a headset with up to 10 different sensors and dual 3K displays. The AR1 Gen 1, by comparison, is rated for a resolution of up to 1,280x1,280 per eye and 3 degrees of freedom (DoF) as opposed to the VR standard of 6.

However, the first-gen chipset also boasts dedicated "AI-assisted Noise & Echo Cancellation", a "premium" 14-bit ISP for glasses-mounted cameras of up to 12MP (for photo) or 6MP (video), and a 3rd-gen Hexagon NPU for onboard AI for features such as real-time translation and visual search.

Accordingly, Qualcomm hints that its new AR/VR/MR platforms will make for the most powerful, yet easily wearable, smart goggles and glasses yet. On that note, we already know that the AR1 Gen 1 is coming in the form of more Ray-Ban x Meta glasses, which will proliferate into a whole series this time, whereas the XR2 Plus Gen 2's first outing will be in the form of the Quest 3.

In that case, maybe the Quest 2 will be even cheaper soon.