Qualcomm Unveils Sound Elite Gen 2 Chip for AI-Powered, Wi-Fi Enabled Audio Wearables

Key points

• The Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 is 30% smaller than its predecessor, offers double the AI capability, and consumes 40% less power.
• The chip includes a dedicated eNPU providing up to 128 GOPS of AI processing power for on-device tasks.
• It supports micro-power Wi-Fi 6E across 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands, allowing devices to connect directly to routers rather than just phones.
• Audio capabilities include aptX Lossless for CD-quality sound and XPAN for extended range connectivity beyond standard Bluetooth limits.
• Qualcomm announced a partnership with Cleer for camera-equipped earbuds, though US availability for this specific product remains unclear.
• First consumer devices utilizing the chip are expected to launch in 2027, targeting smart glasses, earbuds, and other 'personal AI wearables'.

Background

This announcement follows Qualcomm's previous demonstration of XPAN features at last year's Snapdragon Summit, which aimed to enable Wi-Fi audio connectivity. The move aligns with a broader industry trend of integrating AI into audio devices, as seen in recent updates to Sonos headphones and JBL's Wi-Fi speaker lineup. While previous generations focused on connection stability and low latency, this new platform prioritizes AI interactions and standalone functionality.

How outlets are covering it

Gizmodo emphasizes the chip's potential to free users from phone proximity, highlighting the Wi-Fi 6E capability and the Cleer partnership, while noting the uncertainty regarding US availability for camera-equipped buds. CNET focuses on the AI rebranding of headphones, noting the chip's ability to support multimodal interactions and real-time translation, and highlights the open-ended nature of the platform for future product innovations. PCMag highlights the chip's standalone capabilities, noting the 40% power efficiency improvement and the inclusion of a dedicated eNPU, while questioning the practicality of 'personal AI wearables' beyond traditional audio devices. Qualcomm's own materials frame the chip as part of a broader 'agentic AI' ecosystem, though their primary focus in the provided text was on PC processors, with the audio chip mentioned as part of the broader summit announcements.

Why it matters

The Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 represents a shift in audio wearables from simple Bluetooth accessories to standalone AI devices. By integrating Wi-Fi 6E and dedicated AI processing, Qualcomm aims to enable more natural, context-aware interactions without relying on a smartphone, potentially changing how consumers use earbuds and smart glasses for daily tasks and entertainment.

What to watch

Consumers should expect the first devices featuring the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 to launch in 2027. Qualcomm has indicated that these will include smart glasses, earbuds, and other 'personal AI wearables.' The company will likely continue to partner with various OEMs to bring these devices to market, with the Cleer camera-equipped earbuds being a potential early candidate, though US availability is not yet confirmed.