What it’s worthwhile to know
- Qualcomm is drawing our consideration towards its XR work, stating “one thing new” is coming to that surroundings.
- The corporate teases a “smarter and extra immersive” XR system, which is probably going primarily based on its upcoming Snapdragon chip.
- It leads us to marvel if one thing large is being ready for Meta Join in September, or the brand new Pico XR headset.
Qualcomm is teasing what’s subsequent on this planet of XR, and our minds are questioning: is Meta concerned?
Qualcomm began teasing {that a} “new actuality is coming quickly” on a brief X put up this week. In fact, it appears like we must always anticipate its Snapdragon chip to be part of this main reveal—every time that is set to be. The corporate has been working to create a brand new chip that it is positioning as a game-changer for XR.
The teaser continues, stating, “Think about #XR that is smarter and extra immersive than something you’ve got skilled earlier than.” Whereas what Qualcomm’s posting has customers , that is not fairly what’s received everybody speaking (us, included). The put up is accompanied by a brief teaser video displaying a Snapdragon chip inside an XR headset.
It is received customers questioning if Qualcomm is teasing one other gadget from Samsung or Meta. Many customers theorize that Qualcomm is utilizing a Meta Quest Professional in its video. For us, we predict the corporate is gearing up for a giant debut at Meta Join later this 12 months. The headset concerned definitely looks like a Quest product. Simply examine it to the picture on the high of this text. Nevertheless, there’s all the time an opportunity that it isn’t a serious Meta teaser, however somewhat a Pico prelude.
XR retains advancing
Think about #XR that is smarter and extra immersive than something you’ve got skilled earlier than. One thing new is coming 👀 pic.twitter.com/2Of6E0BS2RJune 9, 2026
If that final sentence has you confused, don’t be concerned. Pico is a headset model that was acquired by ByteDance, TikTok‘s dad or mum firm, in 2021. In a method, you can contemplate this TikTok’s rival to the Meta Quest. The headset that we alluded to is beneath Challenge Swan: a “high-end” XR gadget with customized silicon and an altered design. Pico introduced earlier this 12 months that it had plans to deliver its new headset to North America this 12 months.
That leads us proper into our Meta Quest rival state of affairs. Circling again to Meta, the corporate introduced its Join occasion is confirmed for September 23-24, 2026. We have AI and the Quest on our minds, and Meta confirmed as a lot. The corporate’s night keynote will contain AI, VR, wearables, and extra. Meta’s given us sufficient of a teaser to have us brainstorming for a short time. What we’re most interested by is whether or not or not it can give us something new in regards to the long-rumored Ultralight Quest.
Android Central’s Take
Regardless if Qualcomm is teasing one thing for a Quest or not, Meta Join is shaping as much as be an attention-grabbing occasion. Meta’s been going all in on AI, and hopefully which means it is putting equal effort on its subsequent wave of XR headsets. Particulars are nonetheless gentle, as we’re solely in June. We should always anticipate to see extra within the coming months main as much as the principle keynote.
