Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon Reality Elite platform at AWE 2026, pushing spatial computing deeper into the AI era. The new chipset targets XR glasses and headsets with significantly improved on-device intelligence.
New chipset delivers major AI and graphics gains
The platform delivers up to 48 TOPS of AI performance, enabling on-device large vision models and large language models. GPU performance improves up to 60%, CPU up to 30%, and NPU up to 160% compared to the previous generation. It supports up to 4.4K per-eye resolution at 90 frames per second.
Specifications
- AI performance: 48 TOPS
- GPU improvement: up to 60%
- CPU improvement: up to 30%
- NPU improvement: up to 160%
- Resolution: 4.4K per eye at 90 fps
Battery life extends up to 20% under the same workload, and chip temperature drops up to 12 degrees Celsius under load. The improvements stem from architectural enhancements and a more efficient manufacturing process.
First devices include XREAL Project Aura and a device from Play for Dream. The platform is expected to ship globally later this year.
Qualcomm's Ziad Asghar noted that the XR ecosystem now has over 60 million devices in the market globally, accelerating across industries. XREAL's Xu Chi said Project Aura sets a new benchmark for optical see-through XR glasses, bringing AI-driven experiences to work and daily life.
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