Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 platform during the annual Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii. The new architecture aims to transition wearable devices from simple audio playback tools into autonomous gadgets capable of interacting with AI services without constant smartphone tethering.
The platform supports aptX Lossless, XPAN, and fifth-generation adaptive active noise cancellation. It also features Qualcomm cVc echo and noise suppression technology alongside multi-microphone support. Connectivity options include Bluetooth and low-power Wi-Fi 6E, which enables direct interaction with AI services.
Engineers improved the AI performance of the platform compared to the previous Snapdragon S7 Gen 1. The processing power increased from 64 to 128 GOPS, while the number of MAC operations per cycle doubled from 128 to 256. These upgrades support real-time translation and personalized audio processing.
The new hardware design offers significant efficiency improvements. Qualcomm reports that the platform consumes up to 40% less power and occupies 30% less physical space than its predecessor. The solution is intended for TWS earbuds, over-ear headphones, smart glasses, and multimodal devices with cameras.
