Just ahead of CES, Qualcomm today announced the next generation of the aptly named Snapdragon XR platform XR2+ Gen 2. The new system-on-a-chip promises up to 4.3K resolution per eye at 90fps (and slightly reduced resolution at 120fps), as well as a 2.5x increase in GPU performance and 8x better AI performance, with full-color video display latency at 12 milliseconds.
Over the past few years, Qualcomm has built its comprehensive AR/VR/XR platform. These include the Snapdragon AR chips, which, for example, power the Meta/Ray-Ban smart glasses. The lineup is a bit complicated, with the AR1 Gen 1 being intended for display-less smart glasses, the AR2 Gen 1 chips for AR-enabled smart glasses, and the XR1 and XR2 chips. The XR2+ Gen 2 is the new flagship of the series, surpassing the previous non-plus XR2 Gen 2, which “only” provided 3K resolution. As before, Qualcomm will keep existing chips in production.
Image Credits: Qualcomm
“Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 unlocks 4.3K resolution that will take XR productivity and entertainment to the next level, bringing stunningly clear graphics for use cases such as room-scale displays, life-size overlays and virtual desktops,” said Hugo Swart, vice president. and general manager of XR at Qualcomm. “We’re moving forward in our commitment to power the best XR devices and experiences that will supercharge our immersive future.”
An interesting aspect of today’s announcement is that Qualcomm is not just launching its own reference architecture, but is also working with Google and Samsung to bring this platform to their respective ecosystems. Other launch partners include HTC Vive, Immersed and Play for Dream (formerly YVR — the VR headset maker, not the airport in Vancouver, Canada).
