Snap and Qualcomm sign multi year deal to power AR glasses
Snap Inc. and Qualcomm have signed a multi year partnership to equip Snap’s upcoming augmented reality glasses with Snapdragon chips, as the company prepares to launch a consumer version of its devices later in 2026.
The agreement builds on more than five years of collaboration between the two firms. Under the deal, Snap’s hardware unit Specs Inc., created earlier this year, will integrate Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR system on chip platforms into future generations of its smart glasses.
The technology will enable on device artificial intelligence, advanced graphics processing, and multi user digital experiences. Snap said local data processing will improve speed and privacy by reducing reliance on cloud connectivity.
Chief executive Evan Spiegel said the partnership provides a foundation for delivering high performance AR products to both developers and consumers.
The announcement confirms Snap’s plan to release consumer AR glasses in 2026. The new device will follow the company’s fifth generation Spectacles launched in 2024 for developers. The upcoming version is expected to be smaller and lighter, with transparent AR optics and powered by Snap OS, a system designed for voice and gesture interaction.
Snap created Specs Inc. as part of a broader push into the smart glasses market, where competitors are moving quickly. Meta Platforms has already gained traction with its Ray Ban AI glasses developed with EssilorLuxottica and is targeting a consumer AR launch by 2027.
The partnership comes as Snap seeks to establish a stronger position in a hardware segment that has struggled to reach mass adoption. Snap shares rose following the announcement, reflecting investor interest in the company’s expansion into wearable technology.
For Qualcomm, the deal reinforces its role as a key supplier of chips for extended reality devices, as demand for connected glasses continues to grow. Details on pricing and an exact release date for Snap’s upcoming Specs have not yet been disclosed.
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