Qualcomm Wants Your Next Earbuds to Be AI Devices, Not Just Audio Accessories

Qualcomm is giving the humble earbud a much bigger job.

The company has unveiled Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a new audio platform designed to bring more on-device AI, direct cloud connectivity and advanced audio processing to earbuds, headphones, audio glasses and other wearable devices.

The biggest change is the addition of micro-power Wi-Fi 6E, allowing compatible audio devices to connect directly to cloud-based AI services instead of routing every request through a smartphone. Qualcomm says this could enable experiences such as real-time translation, AI assistance and other voice-driven services directly through future hearables.

Qualcomm says the new platform delivers up to twice the on-device AI capability, with its eNPU reaching 128 GOPS of AI acceleration. It also claims up to 40% lower power consumption and a platform footprint up to 30% smaller than the previous generation.

The company is also upgrading the audio side. Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 supports aptX Lossless, Qualcomm XPAN for extended wireless audio and fifth-generation Adaptive ANC designed to adjust to changes in the user's environment and device fit. Voice processing has also been enhanced for calls and AI interactions.

The platform is not limited to traditional earbuds. Qualcomm says it can power AI earbuds, audio glasses, camera-equipped earbuds, hearing devices, open-ear products and future multimodal wearables. That opens the door to devices combining microphones, sensors, cameras and AI rather than simply playing music.

Qualcomm's broader bet is that AI won't always need a screen. With microphones, sensors, connectivity and increasingly powerful processors built into devices people already wear, earbuds could become a more natural way to interact with personal AI while walking, exercising, traveling or working.

The first products using Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 will ultimately determine whether that vision becomes practical. But Qualcomm is clearly positioning the next generation of hearables as something much more than wireless headphones.