Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

AR glasses will have a dedicated Qualcomm chip in 2023

Qualcomm just announced a new chipset, the Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1, reaching a major milestone in AR glasses development. What sets the Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 apart from earlier chips that have been used for augmented reality devices, is that this processor is specifically designed for thin and lightweight AR glasses.

The Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 takes a different approach than that used in early systems, sharing tasks across three chips which solves multiple problems that have been limiting the functionality of AR glasses.

A Qualcomm Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 chip case is held in hand.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The AR2 Gen 1 consists of a chipset with a processor, co-processor, and connectivity chip that can also interact with a smartphone chip for additional processing power. To allow for a higher performance design with a bigger thermal envelope, the chips are distributed around the AR glasses, one on each earpiece and one in the nose bridge.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 is made using a 4nm manufacturing process for higher speed, lower latency, and much lower power requirements. This new design is twice as efficient as the XR2 chip that powers most standalone VR headsets while having twice the performance in AR-specific tasks. It also supports Wi-Fi 7 using FastConnect 7800 which should provide good bandwidth for pairing AR glasses with a smartphone powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor for extra performance.

Qualcomm shared a reference design of AR glasses showing that the distribution of these chips greatly simplifies wiring. This has been a big design issue with AR glasses that feature multiple tracking cameras and imaging cameras, used for identifying planes, recognizing objects, and responding to hand-gesture commands. Qualcomm’s reference design reduced wires by 45% and cut the size of the circuit board that fits in the earpiece by 40%.

Qualcomm Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 AR glasses reference design shows distributed chip placement.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Manufacturing AR glasses is a much greater challenge than VR headsets since the size and weight constraints are much tighter while the device has to handle more processing. Computer-generated graphic overlays must be rapidly scaled and oriented to appear to fit within your real-world environment with a high enough fidelity to be useful and appealing. Voice and hand gestures must be recognized for user input also, and rapid response is necessary to make the use of AR glasses worthwhile.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 might be the missing ingredient to make all of this possible in the near future. The company is anticipating AR glasses that can operate as standalone devices to arrive as early as the second half of 2023 powered by the Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1. The exact launch dates for these next-generation AR glasses are not known but Qualcomm shared that 12 manufacturers are already working on AR devices powered by the Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1, including Lenovo, LG, Nreal, OPPO, Pico, Qonoq, Rokid, Sharp, TCL, Tencent, Vuzix, and Xiaomi.

Editors' Recommendations

Alan Truly
Computing Writer
Alan is a Computing Writer living in Nova Scotia, Canada. A tech-enthusiast since his youth, Alan stays current on what is…
This micro-LED advancement is exactly what AR and VR needs
AR Glasses appear over an enlarged view of a stacked microLED display.

Recent advances in microLED technology could significantly improve AR glasses and VR headsets in the future, according to some new research from MIT.

The report claims that vertical stacking could allow for microscopic pixels that provide full color in just 4 microns.

Read more
Lumus demonstrates futuristic 3,000-nit AR glasses at CES 2023
Lumus Z-Lens waveguide allows slim, stylish AR glasses

Lumus recently announced its next-gen waveguide technology for AR glasses that will have a wider field of view and a brighter display, while being much more efficient than other solutions. We spoke with the Vice President of Marketing David Andrew Goldman about Lumus' new Z-Lens design and technology to get the full scoop.

Building upon the already impressive, reflective waveguides used in the 2D Maximus design, the second generation Z-Lens can deliver a 3,000-nit display at 2K-by-2K resolution in an optical engine that's 50% smaller, resulting in a pair of AR glasses that could weigh as little as 50 grams (in a monocular design). This makes it possible to manufacture stylish, lightweight AR glasses without any tradeoffs, such as tinting the lens or frequent charging.

Read more
CES 2023: These 38-gram smart glasses aim to make AR practical
Vuzix AR wearables are remarkably thin, like regular glasses.

We spoke with Vuzix founder and CEO Paul Travers about the recently announced Vuzix Ultralite smart glasses manufacturer reference design. The Vuzix hardware will be the basis for some of the most practical, tech-enhanced eyewear arriving in 2023.

Smart glasses built on the Vuzix Ultralite design can provide hands-free access to notifications, directions, fitness tracking, and more. The need to continually haul a smartphone out of your pocket, interrupting conversations to check messages, might soon come to an end. That information will be unobtrusive, yet visible in a sharp, bright display that features microLED and waveguide technology.

Read more