Qualcomm Unveils Sound Elite Gen 2 Chip for AI-Powered, Wi-Fi Enabled Audio Wearables
Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a compact audio chip designed to bring high-fidelity, AI-driven audio to earbuds and smart glasses without requiring a smartphone connection. Debuted at Snapdragon Summit 2026, the chip features micro-power Wi-Fi 6E, a dedicated neural processing unit, and support for lossless audio codecs. It aims to enable standalone AI interactions and extended range connectivity for next-generation wearables, with initial consumer devices expected in 2027.