In a recent announcement, chip manufacturer Qualcomm has introduced the latest iteration of its immersive technology, the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2. Boasting advancements in mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR), the new chipset is set to power future VR innovations from tech giants Samsung and Google.
The Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 represents a single-chip architecture that supports 4.3K spatial computing at 90 frames per second, incorporating an impressive 12 or more concurrent cameras. This design aims to deliver clear and immersive MR and VR experiences, according to the company’s press release. The new ‘+ version’ is an upgrade from the previously launched Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, featuring a 15% higher GPU frequency and a 20% higher CPU frequency. With the inclusion of on-device artificial intelligence, the chipset enables precise tracking of user movements and interactions with the real world in virtual, mixed, and augmented reality environments.
Hugo Swart, Vice President and General Manager of XR at Qualcomm, emphasized the potential of Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, stating, “We are advancing our commitment to power the best XR devices and experiences that will supercharge our immersive future.” Samsung and Google are set to leverage this technology to provide cutting-edge XR experiences, while Qualcomm has also revealed a new MR and VR reference design developed by Goertek, featuring eye-tracking technology from Tobii.
Shahram Izadi, Vice President of AR at Google, expressed excitement about the collaboration, saying, “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies and Samsung on the future of immersive and spatial XR.” Samsung’s Vice President and Head of Technology Strategy Team, Inkang Song, added, “With Samsung’s mobile expertise and our joint commitment, we aim to create the best-in-class XR experience for Galaxy users.”
As the consumer adoption of VR/MR/XR/AR headsets remains relatively modest, industry experts anticipate that the unveiling of such innovative technologies, like the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, at the upcoming CES event will contribute to the evolution of immersive experiences in the tech world.
