Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 kicks off a new age for earbuds and other audio wearables

Sound Elite Gen 2 improves both capturing and reproducing audio

Seeing the list of sound improvements confirms this, with the Sound Elite Gen 2 utilizing AI-driven features to help the devices adapt to the listener, the device, and the environment. The list of AI-enhanced audio technologies includes the 5th generation Qualcomm ANC, the Qualcomm cVc technology, and multi-microphone architectures support. There’s also the Snapdragon Audio Sense Solution, which introduces innovative microphones with algorithms to deliver intelligent audio and help devices hear more clearly.



The goal with all this is to improve noise cancellation both when you’re listening to audio, but also when you’re capturing it. Speech capture and voice clarity are made better, so conversations and interactions with AI are better. This allows AI assistant to understand better and provide more responsive experiences, including for real-time translation, hearing aid, or just prompting AI on the go.

On the purely audio side of things are Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless and XPAN technologies. The former is well known for delivering rich and immersive audio quality, while the latter helps improve connectivity and extend it beyond the traditional Bluetooth range. This way, the audio is uninterrupted and more seamless across devices.

Quickly coming to new devices

While Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 supports a wide range of form factors, Qualcomm is also taking care that putting the platform to use is made easier and faster for manufacturers. The company has a set of reference designs, which are meant to help OEMs to prototype, validate, and commercialize next-generation Personal AI devices much faster.

This is a direct response to what users seem to be looking for. “Our research tells us that up to 70% of users want advanced AI capabilities in their wearable devices,” said Ziad Ashgar, Senior Vice President and General Manager of XR, Wearables, and Personal AI at Qualcomm. He expects that AI will turn into a core capability for new devices, which will create an expectation to interact more naturally with them, often through something different from a screen.



The premium audio brand Cleer already gave an early look at what the new platform enables at the Snapdragon Summit 2026. The company showed a new class of intelligent audio wearables that combine audio, vision, and AI-based features. 

Quite specific

As exciting as the audio improvements sound, I am not entirely convinced about the camera capabilities outside of devices like smart glasses. I’d be more than happy if my new earbuds provide me with great audio and help any human or AI I want to talk to hear me better, but I can’t see the advantage of them having a camera. Either way, a new wave of wearables is about to come, and I can’t wait to try them out.