Tech Beyond Screens: Qualcomm’s Chip Fuels AI-Powered Wearables Race

The smartphone era, a period of unprecedented technological adoption, may be giving way to a new wave of devices. But unlike the pocket-sized computers that dominated the last decade, the next big thing might not even *appear* like technology at all. Qualcomm, the chipmaker powering a vast majority of Android smartphones, is betting on a future where AI-powered functionality is embedded in everyday objects – pendants, pins, glasses and more – and has unveiled a new chip designed to make it happen.

This shift signals a potential inflection point in consumer technology, as companies search for the next disruptive product following the success of the smartphone. Qualcomm’s commitment, given its central role in the mobile ecosystem powering devices from Samsung and Motorola to Meta, could be a key indicator of where the industry is headed. The company’s new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip is specifically designed for these smaller, always-on devices, prioritizing low-power AI processing and continuous data collection.

Beyond the Screen: The Rise of Discreet Devices

Qualcomm’s move isn’t happening in a vacuum. Tech companies are actively exploring ways to integrate AI into more subtle forms. The idea is to move beyond the constant engagement required by smartphones and create devices that operate more seamlessly in the background, anticipating needs and providing information without demanding constant attention. Ziad Asghar, who leads Qualcomm’s wearables and personal AI devices division, explained that the company began developing the new chip after receiving requests from partners exploring these novel gadget concepts.

The growing interest in smart glasses provides a tangible example of this trend. According to Counterpoint Research, global shipments of smart glasses surged 139% year-over-year in the second half of 2025. This growth has bolstered Qualcomm’s confidence in the potential of these emerging form factors.

Snapdragon Wear Elite: Powering a New Generation of Wearables

The Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, built on a 3nm process, represents a significant leap in performance and efficiency for wearable devices. It features a five-core CPU configuration – one high-performance core at 2.1GHz and four efficiency cores at 1.9GHz – promising up to a fivefold increase in single-threaded CPU performance and up to seven times faster GPU speeds. This increased processing power is crucial for running complex AI models directly on the device, rather than relying on cloud connectivity.

Beyond raw processing power, the chip incorporates a dedicated Hexagon NPU (Neural Processing Unit) capable of handling AI models with up to two billion parameters. This allows for on-device AI tasks like keyword recognition, noise cancellation, and more sophisticated “personal AI experiences” – context-aware recommendations, natural language interactions, and automated task orchestration. Qualcomm also highlights improvements in battery life (up to 30% better) and charging speeds (up to 50% faster in ten minutes).

Connectivity options are also expanded, including 5G reduced capability, micro-power Wi-Fi, and support for satellite connectivity via NB-NTN, alongside Bluetooth 6.0, GNSS, and UWB. Manufacturers can choose configurations without certain wireless features to optimize for specific use cases.

The AI-Powered Contextual Device: Potential and Pitfalls

The vision extends beyond simply shrinking smartphone functionality. Qualcomm believes these new devices can offer unique advantages. Asghar points to real-time translation as an example, envisioning smart glasses and earbuds providing instant translations directly in a user’s field of vision and ear, eliminating the necessitate to look down at a phone. The company also sees potential in retail, where AI-powered devices with cameras could track shopper behavior and provide personalized recommendations.

The ability to continuously gather data from a user’s surroundings – through cameras, microphones, and other sensors – is central to this vision. This contextual awareness allows devices to tailor responses and provide more relevant information. “It gives you an ability that basically you did not have before the device,” Asghar stated.

However, this increased data collection also raises significant privacy concerns. Companies like Meta (with its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses) and Amazon (with the Bee bracelet) are already facing scrutiny over data privacy. Whereas most devices include an LED indicator to signal when recording is active, reports have surfaced of individuals using smart glasses to record others without their knowledge or consent. CNN reported on instances of men recording women with smart glasses and posting the videos online.

Lessons from the Past and the Current Landscape

The path forward isn’t guaranteed. The recent struggles of Humane, a startup whose AI Pin failed to gain traction with consumers, serve as a cautionary tale. HP acquired parts of Humane’s business after the Pin’s lackluster reception. This highlights the challenge of convincing consumers to adopt entirely new device categories.

Despite this setback, major tech players are doubling down on the concept. Meta, Google, and Samsung are all heavily invested in smart glasses powered by AI. Amazon views its Bee voice-recording bracelet as crucial to the future of Alexa. Apple is reportedly developing both smart glasses and a pendant-style device, according to Bloomberg. OpenAI is also expected to enter the hardware market with a smart speaker next year, as reported by The Information. Startups like Friend AI (with its pendant) and Plaud (with its pin) are also vying for a piece of the emerging market.

Google, mindful of the privacy backlash surrounding its earlier Google Glass project in 2013, is proceeding with caution. Bjørn Kilburn, VP and GM of Google’s smartwatch software, emphasized the company’s commitment to user privacy and its willingness to “go slower” to thoroughly consider potential negative use cases. “We have a huge responsibility to protect user privacy and that’s something we take very seriously,” Kilburn told CNN.

What Comes Next: Rollout, Regulation, and Responsible Innovation

The Snapdragon Wear Elite chip is expected to appear in consumer devices in the coming months. The initial rollout will likely focus on smartwatches, with broader adoption in other form factors – pendants, pins, glasses – following as the technology matures and use cases become more defined.

However, the success of these devices will depend not only on technological advancements but also on addressing the ethical and societal implications of pervasive data collection. Ongoing discussions around data privacy regulations and responsible AI development will be crucial in shaping the future of this emerging technology. The industry will need to prioritize transparency, user control, and robust safeguards to build trust and ensure that these new devices enhance, rather than erode, individual freedoms.