GoKawiilQualcomm integrates Wi-Fi 6E into new Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 audio chip
Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, its first audio chip with micro-power Wi-Fi 6E built directly into the silicon, allowing earbuds to connect to home networks without a separate Wi-Fi chip. The company says the chip is 30 percent smaller, uses up to 40 percent less power, and doubles AI processing versus its predecessor. Qualcomm has named HP, Bose, and Cleer as partners, including camera-equipped earbuds with Cleer.
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Qualcomm previously tried this with a two-chip Wi-Fi earbud design in 2023 that saw minimal adoption, reportedly reaching only one product, Xiaomi's Buds 5 Pro. Folding Wi-Fi into a single chip could lower the barrier for manufacturers to build earbuds that stream lossless audio directly from the cloud without needing a phone nearby, though whether partners actually ship consumer products remains to be seen.
- Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 integrates Wi-Fi 6E into a single chip, unlike the prior two-chip design.
- Qualcomm claims 30% smaller size, 40% lower power use, and double the AI processing of the previous generation.
- Named partners include HP, Bose, and Cleer, with Cleer developing camera-equipped 'hearables.'
Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound certified earbuds — If you're curious about the leap toward Wi-Fi-enabled lossless audio, current Snapdragon Sound certified earbuds are a great way to experience Qualcomm's audio tech today. They deliver noticeably crisper, higher-resolution sound over Bluetooth and give you a taste of the ecosystem that's about to get even better with the new Elite Gen 2 chip.”}),
See Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound certified earbuds on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — Sean Hollister, 2026-09-24
Published there as: “Qualcomm’s new ‘Elite’ sound chip might finally deliver the Wi-Fi earbud dream”
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