Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 Chip for Google and Samsung's Mixed Reality Headsets

Qualcomm recently made an announcement about the release of their latest chip, the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2. This chip is specifically designed for mixed reality headsets and will be utilized by Google and Samsung as they aim to compete with Apple's Vision Pro mixed reality headset, which has a starting price of $3,400.

In a joint venture announced last year, Qualcomm, Samsung, and Google joined forces to develop mixed reality devices. The introduction of the Snapdragon XR2+ chip, capable of running Android apps, suggests that Google and Samsung may be planning to launch a more affordable headset compared to Apple's Vision Pro, which relies on the Apple M2 processor.

The Quest 3, a mixed reality headset by Meta priced at $499.99, already incorporates the second-generation Snapdragon XR2 chip. The newly introduced Qualcomm chip, known as the second-generation Snapdragon XR2+, is an upgraded version of its predecessor, offering enhanced graphics, image processing capabilities, and a clearer screen display.

Hugo Swart, Vice President and General Manager of Extended Reality at Qualcomm, expressed that the second-generation Snapdragon XR2+ chip supports resolutions of up to 4.3K, enabling incredibly clear visual effects for various use cases such as room-sized screens, life-size overlays, and virtual desktops. This advancement is expected to elevate the productivity and entertainment experiences of mixed reality to new heights.

There is currently no specific information available regarding the launch dates for the new products from Samsung and Google.