Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 smartglasses chip, designed with local AI processing in mind

At the event 'Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2025' held on June 10, 2025, Qualcomm announced the SoC 'Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1' for smart glasses. In addition to wireless communication functions, the Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 also has a built-in NPU, which enables local processing of small language models (SLMs).

Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 Platform | Qualcomm
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/mobile/snapdragon/xr-vr-ar/snapdragon-ar1-plus-gen-1-platform

Smaller. Smarter. Sharper. @Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 packs better power management, improved image quality, and on-glass #AI into our smallest #AR platform yet. Seeing is believing at #AWE2025 : https://t.co/FfVnhqYNh0 pic.twitter.com/xsjoNugU2J

— Qualcomm (@Qualcomm) June 10, 2025

The Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 has a package size that is 26% smaller than the previous generation Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1, and offers several advancements, including reduced power consumption and improved image quality.

◆Photos and videos
The Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 is designed to capture 12MP photos and 6MP videos directly through the glasses, and is said to maintain high image quality in low-light environments, improve image stabilization, and capture footage with vivid colors.

◆AI
The Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 is equipped with the third-generation 'Qualcomm Hexagon NPU,' which can run small language models without connecting to a smartphone, allowing AI assistants and real-time translation to work with just the glasses. AI is also powerful in the field of image analysis.

◆Size, heat, and power
It is 26% smaller than the previous generation and has improved battery efficiency, enabling the development of smaller smart glasses.

◆Share
The Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 supports Qualcomm FastConnect Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3/5.2, and also has increased memory capacity, which will enable live streaming directly from the glasses to other devices.

◆ Audio
By utilizing eight microphones and AI, you can capture clear audio and video, and you can also make clear calls with Qualcomm Noise Echo Cancellation.

◆ Support for binocular displays
It is now possible to display 1280 x 1280 pixels and 60 fps images per eye on both the left and right glasses. Qualcomm explains that 'this allows notifications and alerts to blend seamlessly into the user's field of view, creating a sense of depth and improving visual comfort.' In addition, it has3DoF , which allows for freedom of operation, so it can also read head-shaking movements.