Qualcomm unveiled the XR2+ Gen 2, the latest iteration of the Snapdragon XR platform, ahead of CES. With full-color video see-through latency set at 12 milliseconds, the new system-on-a-chip offers up to 4.3K resolution per eye at 90 frames per second (and a little decreased resolution at 120 fps), along with 8x higher AI performance and a 2.5x boost in GPU performance.
Over the past few years, Qualcomm has expanded the scope of its AR, VR, and XR platforms. Among these are the Snapdragon AR processors, which power devices like the Meta/Ray-Ban smart eyewear. The AR1 Gen 1 chips are designed for smart glasses without a screen, the AR2 Gen 1 chips are for smart glasses with AR capabilities, and the XR1 and XR2 chips make the lineup slightly confusing. The XR2+ Gen 2 overtook the previously released non-plus XR2 Gen 2, which “only” offered a 3K resolution, to become the new flagship model in the series. Qualcomm will continue to produce the current chips, just as before.
Hugo Swart, vice president and general manager of Qualcomm’s XR division, stated, “Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 unlocks 4.3K resolution, which will take XR productivity and entertainment to the next level by bringing spectacularly clear visuals to use cases such as room-scale screens, life-size overlays, and virtual desktops.” “We are strengthening our resolve to power the greatest XR experiences and gadgets, which will accelerate our immersive future.”
An intriguing feature of today’s news is that Qualcomm is collaborating with Google and Samsung to integrate this platform into their ecosystems and release its reference design. Other launch partners include Play for Dream (previously YVR, the producer of VR headsets, not the Vancouver, Canada airport), Immersed, and HTC Vive.