:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1247611076-a7dee1b5ddb94adebaca5c7d27c15d4c.jpg "Google and Samsung Set To Use Qualcomm’s New VR Chip, Could Compete With Apple and Meta")
Key Takeaways
- Qualcomm announced a new chip designed for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
- Google and Samsung are set to use the latest Qualcomm chip to create VR and AR experiences.
- The new chip could allow Google and Samsung to better compete with Apple and Meta, which both introduced headsets with integrated VR technology in 2023.
Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) on Thursday announced a new chip designed for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), with Google LLC (GOOGL) and Samsung Electronics Co. set to integrate it into their immersive experience technology.
The new Qualcomm chip could help the companies compete with Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Meta Platforms Inc. (META) in the VR and AR headset arena.
Qualcomm said the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 Platform has “single chip architecture” that builds upon the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 that the company launched in 2023.
The latest version of the chip is equipped with higher graphics processing (GPU), artificial intelligence (AI), and camera capabilities, as well as other enhancements.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies and Samsung on the future of immersive and spatial XR,” Shahram Izadi, the vice president of AR at Google, said, adding that the tech giant was “excited for the Android ecosystem to take advantage of Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2’s capabilities and enable new experiences.”
Samsung echoed that sentiment, with Inkang Song, the company’s vice president and head of technology strategy saying that “Samsung is thrilled to collaborate with Qualcomm Technologies and Google in revolutionizing the mobile industry once more” as the company “aim[s] to create the best-in-class XR experience for Galaxy users.”
The new chip could help Google and Samsung compete with other tech giants in the VR space.
Apple introduced the Apple Vision Pro in June 2023. While the iPhone maker’s VR headset “is expected to bring lots of attention” to the technology, IT market intelligence firm International Data Corp. (IDC) projected that Apple “will likely ship fewer than [200,000] units in the year.”
The VR space has been dominated by Meta, which captured 55% market share in the third quarter of 2023, according to IDC, with the Quest 3 headset.
IDC sees 2024 as “a year of tremendous recovery” for shipments of AR/VR headsets, led by the new Meta and Apple products, after a difficult 2023 for the industry. In the year just ended, “macroeconomic pressures on households combined with slowing spend in the commercial segments have put a damper on growth,” IDC said.
Qualcomm shares were down 0.7% at $136.56 per share as of about 3:20 p.m. ET Thursday, but have gained more than 22% over the past year.
Deepak Sen is a tech enthusiast who covers the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets. His articles provide readers with a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of technology.
