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Qualcomm introduces the Snapdragon XR2 — the world's first 5G XR platform with 7 concurrent tracking cameras, 2x CPU and GPU performance, 3K@90 Hz display per eye, and added AI goodness

The Snapdragon XR2 5G Platform brings new extended reality experiences. (Source: Qualcomm)
The Snapdragon XR2 5G Platform brings new extended reality experiences. (Source: Qualcomm)
At the ongoing Snapdragon Tech Summit, Qualcomm has taken wraps off the Snapdragon XR2. The Snapdragon XR2 aims to bring new extended reality experiences to future headsets and offers greatly improved video, audio, and AI performance over previous generations. The Snapdragon XR2 is the world's first 5G extended reality platform and offers support for seven concurrent cameras and a custom computer vision processor for more accurate tracking with low latency.

When Qualcomm revealed a reference VR headset based on the Snapdragon 845 back in 2018, we had seen modest resolutions such as 1024 x 1152 per screen running at 120 Hz with foveated rendering. Fast forward to today and we have the Snapdragon XR2 platform — the world's first 5G extended reality (XR) platform that offers a multitude of improvements over previous generations across visuals, audio, and interactivity. 

(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)

Visuals

The XR2 gets a nice upgrade in terms of graphics processing with 1.5x pixel and 3x texel rates while including features such as foveated rendering with eye tracking and variable rate shading for smoother refresh rates. Each eye can now be offered with up to 3K resolution at a 90 Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon XR2 also supports 8K 360° video playback at 60 fps (or 4K@120 fps) with support for HDR10 and HDR10+. The overall latency has been reduced for a more immersive AR experience. 

(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)

Audio

The new custom always-on, low power Hexagon DSP in the Snapdragon XR2 enables rich, 3D spatial sound with clear voice interactions. Qualcomm says that the XR2 will be able to let the user know of specific environment cues via "Audio Context Detection". 

(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)

Interactivity

The Snapdragon XR2 platform supports a total of seven concurrent cameras and a custom computer vision processor for added immersion in virtual environments. These cameras enable real-time head, hand, body, eye, facial, and controller tracking with low latency for an immersive XR experience. 

(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)

AI and 5G

The Snapdragon 865 boasts of 15 TOPS of AI performance and the XR2 platform makes good use of all this AI goodness. The XR2 uses onboard AI processing for 3D reconstruction, semantic segmentation, object recognition and tracking, voice recognition, and more. Native 5G connectivity offers a high-bandwidth, low-latency connection and a much better sustained network performance. 

(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)
(Source: Qualcomm)

Source(s)

Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit

Qualcomm Press Release

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2019 12 > Qualcomm introduces the Snapdragon XR2 — the world's first 5G XR platform with 7 concurrent tracking cameras, 2x CPU and GPU performance, 3K@90 Hz display per eye, and added AI goodness
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 2019-12- 5 (Update: 2019-12- 5)