September 24, 2026
Headphones get more AI: Qualcomm promises up to 2× on-device boost
On Sep 23, 2026, Qualcomm introduced Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, with claimed AI acceleration of up to 128 GOPS. The platform promises up to 2× higher on-device AI performance than Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform. It is designed for headphones, audio glasses, hearing devices, and open-ear models.
Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound Platform offered lower on-device AI performance. Qualcomm now promises up to 40% lower power consumption and up to 30% less chip area.
Connectivity without a phone. The platform includes micro-power Wi-Fi 6E for direct connections to cloud AI assistants and Snapdragon Sound apps. Qualcomm named Bose, HP, and Cleer as its first partners.
The platform is designed for a new generation of audio devices that combine voice, vision, and AI in one enclosure.
