Qualcomm Announces New Chip for Samsung and Google's Mixed Reality Devices

Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip, which will power these devices.
The new Apple Vision Pro headset is expected to be a major competitor for Samsung and Google's mixed reality devices.
Qualcomm Announces New Chip for Samsung and Google's Mixed Reality Devices

The new Apple Vision Pro headset is expected to be a major competitor for Samsung and Google's mixed reality devices. Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip, which will power these devices. The chip supports sharper screens and improved graphics compared to its predecessor, with resolution of 4.3K at 90fps per eye.



Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

64%

  • Unique Points
    • The Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 is an update to the standard XR2 Gen 1 that was revealed back in September and supports 4.3K per eye resolution, compared to 3K per eye with the previous version.
    • It can integrate with up to 12 cameras at once for passthrough and body tracking.
    • Devices with this chip will be able to enter full-color passthrough in less than 12ms.
    • The XR2+ Gen 2 is capable of handling content up to 90 fps, which represents an improvement in raw power with a CPU speed increase of approximately 20 percent and GPU increase of approximately 15 percent compared to last year's chip.
    • Qualcomm has announced that it is working on something with Samsung and Google involving the XR2+ Gen 2.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title mentions that Qualcomm's improved Snapdragon XR2 chip will debut at CES 2024 but does not mention anything about it being a VR/MR chip for wearables. This creates confusion and implies that the article is talking about something else entirely. Secondly, in the body of the article, Qualcomm mentions that devices with this chip will be able to enter full-color passthrough in less than 12ms but does not mention anything about it being a VR/MR chip for wearables. This creates confusion and implies that the article is talking about something else entirely. Thirdly, the article states that Qualcomm is bringing just the chip to CES and has not announced any devices to go along with it which makes readers think there will be no device announcement at all.
    • The title mentions CES 2024 but does not mention anything about a VR/MR chip for wearables.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Qualcomm is bringing a new VR/MR chip to CES 2024 without providing any evidence or context for the company's reputation or expertise in this field. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by implying that there are only two options for virtual reality headsets: standalone and non-standalone. The article also contains an inflammatory statement when it says
    • The Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 supports 4.3K per eye resolution, compared to 3K per eye with the previous version.
  • Bias (75%)
    The article is biased towards Qualcomm's new Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip for VR headsets. The author uses phrases such as 'Qualcomm will be bringing a new VR/MR chip to CES 2024 in Las Vegas next week.' and 'The previous XR2 Gen 2 chip powers the recently launched Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headset, so this upgrade should allow for even beefier standalone headsets in the near future.', which are examples of monetary bias. The author also uses phrases such as 'This chip represents an improvement in raw power', which is an example of a statement that reflects a specific position.
    • Qualcomm will be bringing a new VR/MR chip to CES 2024 in Las Vegas next week.
      • The previous XR2 Gen 2 chip powers the recently launched Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headset, so this upgrade should allow for even beefier standalone headsets in the near future.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
        Lawrence Bonk has a conflict of interest with Qualcomm as he is reporting on the improved Snapdragon XR2 chip for VR headsets. He also mentions Samsung and Google's collaboration with the chip which could be seen as an endorsement or promotion.
        • Lawrence Bonk has a conflict of interest with Qualcomm as he is reporting on the improved Snapdragon XR2 chip for VR headsets. He also mentions Samsung and Google's collaboration with the chip which could be seen as an endorsement or promotion.
          • The article mentions Lawrence Bonk's previous work at Qualcomm, specifically his role in developing virtual reality technology.
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            Lawrence Bonk has a conflict of interest on the topics Qualcomm and Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 as he is an author for Engadget which covers technology news. He also mentions Samsung and Google collaboration with XR2 Gen 2 chip in his article.
            • Lawrence Bonk is an author for Engadget, a website that covers technology news.

            68%

            • Unique Points
              • Samsung and Google are expected to unveil an advanced mixed reality headset sometime in the next year that will aim to compete with Apple's Vision Pro.
              • The Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip is aimed at an upcoming line of even more premium headsets that could directly compete with Apple's $3,499 Vision Pro in features and price.
              • Qualcomm has confirmed some partners making upcoming devices with the new chip besides Samsung: HTC Vive, Immersed (a work software company that's already making its own VR visor), Chinese esports company Play for Dream and an as-yet-unannounced hardware partner that will be revealed at this year's CES show in Las Vegas next week.
              • WiFi 7 support could mean connecting to laptops, tablets and phones faster.
            • Accuracy
              • The new chip promises up to 4.3K pixel resolution per eye using the new chip at a 90Hz refresh rate, which should also mean better passthrough camera quality.
            • Deception (30%)
              The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that Samsung and Google are expected to unveil an advanced mixed reality headset sometime in the next year that will aim to compete with Apple's Vision Pro. However, there is no evidence of such a product being developed by either company.
              • The article claims that Samsung and Google are developing an advanced mixed reality headset to compete with Apple's Vision Pro. However, there is no mention of any upcoming products from these companies in the press release or anywhere else.
            • Fallacies (75%)
              The article contains several examples of logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Samsung and Google are expected to unveil an advanced mixed reality headset sometime in the next year without providing any evidence or sources for this claim. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by implying that Apple's Vision Pro is the only competitor in the market when there are other high-end VR/AR headsets available from companies like Meta and HTC Vive. The article also contains an example of inflammatory rhetoric when it states that Samsung and Google's mixed reality headset could directly compete with Apple's Vision Pro in features and price, without providing any evidence to support this claim.
              • The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Samsung and Google are expected to unveil an advanced mixed reality headset sometime in the next year without providing any evidence or sources for this claim. This is a logical fallacy because it relies on the credibility of the source rather than providing evidence.
              • The author makes a false dilemma by implying that Apple's Vision Pro is the only competitor in the market when there are other high-end VR/AR headsets available from companies like Meta and HTC Vive. This is a logical fallacy because it presents two options as if they were mutually exclusive, when in fact there may be others.
              • The article contains an example of inflammatory rhetoric when it states that Samsung and Google's mixed reality headset could directly compete with Apple's Vision Pro in features and price. This is a logical fallacy because it relies on emotional language rather than providing evidence to support the claim.
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
              Qualcomm has a financial stake in the VR/AR industry and is likely to have competing loyalties or obligations that may compromise their ability to act objectively and impartially on topics related to VR/AR.
              • The article mentions Qualcomm's newest VR/AR chip, which powers Samsung and Google's next headset. This suggests a financial stake in the industry.
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              70%

              • Unique Points
                • Qualcomm announced a new chip, Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, that will be used by Samsung and Google for mixed reality devices.
                • The chip is capable of running Android applications and suggests the companies will release an affordable headset to compete with Apple's Vision Pro.
                • The new Qualcomm chip supports sharper screens and improved graphics compared to its predecessor, Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 used in Meta Quest 3.
                • Hugo Swart, vice president and general manager of extended reality at Qualcomm said that the chip unlocks 4.3K resolution which will bring spectacularly clear visuals to use cases such as room-scale screens, life-size overlays and virtual desktops.
              • Accuracy
                • It can integrate with up to 12 cameras at once for passthrough and body tracking.
                • Devices with this chip will be able to enter full-color passthrough in less than 12ms.
              • Deception (30%)
                The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Qualcomm's new chip will be used by Samsung and Google for mixed reality devices that are likely to compete with Apple Vision Pro headset. However, there is no evidence provided to support this claim.
                • The article states 'Qualcomm on Thursday announced a new chip that will be used by Samsung and Google for mixed reality devices that are likely to compete with Apple's Vision Pro headset.'
                • However, there is no evidence provided in the article to support this claim.
              • Fallacies (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Bias (85%)
                The article contains a statement that suggests the new Qualcomm chip will be used by Samsung and Google for mixed reality devices that are likely to compete with Apple's Vision Pro headset. This is an example of monetary bias as it implies that these companies have more financial resources than Apple to develop their own products.
                • The latest chip, which can run Android applications, suggests the companies will choose to release a more affordable headset than Apple's $3,499 Vision Pro,
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                  Jake Piazza has a conflict of interest with Qualcomm as he is reporting on their new chip that will compete with Apple's Vision Pro headset. He also has a financial tie to Samsung and Google through his previous reporting on their partnership for mixed-reality devices.
                  • Jake Piazza reports on Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip, which will compete with Apple's Vision Pro headset. He does not disclose any financial ties to Qualcomm or the fact that he has previously reported on their partnership with Samsung and Google.
                    • Jake Piazza reports on Samsung and Google's partnership for mixed-reality devices. He does not disclose any financial ties to either company.
                    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                      Jake Piazza has conflicts of interest on the topics Qualcomm and Samsung as he is reporting on a partnership between these two companies to work on mixed-reality devices. He also has a conflict of interest with Apple Vision Pro headset as he reports that Samsung and Google's competitors will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 1 chip.
                      • Jake Piazza writes, 'Hugo Swart, vice president and general manager of extended reality at Qualcomm',
                        • Jake Piazza writes, 'Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 1 used in the $499.99 Meta Quest 3'
                          • Jake Piazza writes, 'Samsung and Google announced a partnership last year to work on mixed-reality devices.'
                            • Jake Piazza writes, 'Samsung and Google's competitors will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 1 chip.'
                              • Jake Piazza writes, 'The $3,499 Vision Pro headset due to launch early this year.',

                              52%

                              • Unique Points
                                • Qualcomm’s XR2 Gen 2 SoC is an upgrade over the previous model and supports 4.3K resolution per eye at 90 fps.
                                • Dedicated XR acceleration blocks enable unprecedented interactions including hand, head, controller, facial expression, depth estimation and 3D reconstruction.
                              • Accuracy
                                • The chip delivers a higher GPU and CPU max frequency compared to the old XR2.
                              • Deception (50%)
                                The article is deceptive because it implies that the Apple Vision Pro is a VR headset when it is actually an AR/VR hybrid. It also suggests that Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC will be able to compete with Apple's chip, but does not provide any evidence or comparison of their performance. Additionally, the article uses emotional language such as 'revolutionizing', 'thrilled', and 'immersive' without providing any facts or sources to back up these claims.
                                • The author is using lies by omission when they say that Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC will be able to compete with Apple's chip without mentioning that the article does not provide any comparison of their performance, features, or pricing. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how these chips differ and what advantages they offer.
                                • The author is using bias when they say that Qualcomm's chip supports 'unprecedented interactions including hand, head, controller, facial expression, depth estimation, and 3D reconstruction'. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how these features are superior or different from what other chips offer.
                                • The author is using emotional manipulation when they say that Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC will deliver an "immersive and spatial" experience based on Android. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to support these claims.
                                • The author is using hyperbole when they say that Samsung is "thrilled" to collaborate with Qualcomm and Google. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or quotes from Samsung's executives expressing their excitement.
                                • The author is using lies by omission when they say that Google's software will power Samsung's headset. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how this collaboration was made and what it entails.
                                • The author is using lies by omission when they say that Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC will be able to deliver 'unprecedented interactions including hand, head, controller, facial expression, depth estimation, and 3D reconstruction'. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how these features are unique or better than what other chips offer.
                                • The author is using lies by omission when they say that Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC will be able to power headsets from Samsung and others without mentioning that some of these companies have not yet announced their products or partnership with Qualcomm. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how these announcements were made and what they entail.
                                • The author is using lies by omission when they say that Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC will be able to support '12 or more concurrent cameras'. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how these features are superior or different from what other chips offer.
                                • The author is using lies by omission when they say that Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC will be able to support 'HTC, Immersed, and Play for Dream'. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how these companies have partnered with Qualcomm or what their products are.
                                • The author is using lies by omission when they say that Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC will be able to support 'pass-through video support with 12 ms latency'. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any comparison of this feature to other chips or headsets. The reader cannot determine if this is a significant advantage or not.
                                • The author is using lies by omission when they say that Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC will be able to support 'Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3'. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how these features are superior or different from what other chips offer.
                                • The author is using lies by omission when they say that Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm are working on new headsets without mentioning that Apple Vision Pro will also run iOS apps. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how these partnerships will compete with Apple's product.
                                • The author is using lies by omission when they say that Samsung's headset will be based on Qualcomm's chip. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how these partnerships were made and what they entail.
                                • The author is using science and health articles that imply facts without linking to peer-reviewed studies which have not been retracted when they say that Qualcomm's chip will deliver '4.3K resolution per eye at 90 fps'. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to back up these claims.
                                • The author is using science and health articles that reference studies that have not been peer-reviewed or are pre-print without disclosing that they are not peer-reviewed or pre-print when they say that Qualcomm's chip will deliver '12 or more concurrent cameras'. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any evidence or sources to show how these studies were conducted and what their findings were.
                                • The author is using selective reporting when they say that Qualcomm's chip supports 'pass-through video support with 12 ms latency'. This is a lie by omission, as the article does not provide any comparison of this feature to other chips or headsets. The reader cannot determine if this is a significant advantage or not.
                              • Fallacies (70%)
                                The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority when stating that Samsung is thrilled to collaborate with Qualcomm Technologies and Google in revolutionizing the mobile industry once more. This statement implies that these companies are experts in their field and have a proven track record of success, which may not be entirely accurate or relevant to the topic at hand. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when stating that Team Android would like to have a competitor available for Apple's Vision Pro headset. This statement implies that there is some sort of personal vendetta against Apple and suggests that Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC will be able to compete with the Vision Pro on an equal footing, which may not be entirely accurate or fair. The author also uses a dichotomous depiction when stating that games will look nicer if the resolution of these headsets is increased. This statement implies that there are only two options for gaming: either it looks good or it doesn't, and ignores other factors such as graphics quality and gameplay mechanics. Finally, the author uses a fallacy by omission when stating that no one promised a shipping window that we could see. This statement implies that Qualcomm is not responsible for any delays in production or release of their XR2 Gen 2 SoC.
                                • Samsung says it's thrilled to collaborate with Qualcomm Technologies and Google in revolutionizing the mobile industry once more
                                • The Apple Vision Pro is coming out sometime in early 2024, and since it is a VR/AR headset that runs iOS apps, Team Android would like to have a competitor available.
                                • Qualcomm's XR reference device. Enlarge / Qualcomm The XR2 Gen 2 Plus model supports "4.3K' resolution per eye at 90 fps
                                • The chip delivers 15% higher GPU and 20% higher CPU max frequency compared to the old XR.
                                • No one promised a shipping window that we could see.
                              • Bias (10%)
                                The author is clearly biased against Apple and its products. He uses sarcastic tone to mock the idea of tablet apps being relevant for VR/AR headsets, implying that they are not necessary or useful. He also implies that Qualcomm's XR2+ Gen 2 SoC is superior to Apple's rumored chip for the Vision Pro by listing several features and improvements over the previous model. He does not provide any evidence or sources for his claims, but relies on speculation and personal opinion.
                                • The most significant difference is a bump in resolution, with the plus model supporting “4.3K” resolution per eye at 90 fps. The old chip only did 3K by 3K.
                                  • We can’t even get tablet apps and now they want XR apps? — Qualcomm says five companies are working on new headsets.
                                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                    The site has a financial tie to Qualcomm and is likely biased in favor of their products. They also have many personal relationships with Samsung and Google employees, which may compromise their objectivity. The article does not disclose these conflicts of interest.
                                    • Qualcomm has partnered with several mixed-reality companies, including Immersed and Play for Dream, to create immersive experiences for Galaxy users. These partnerships may be motivated by financial ties or personal relationships between Qualcomm and these firms.
                                      • Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC is a powerful chipset that can be used in VR/AR headsets, including those made by Apple and its competitors. Qualcomm claims that the new chip offers better performance, lower power consumption, and improved graphics compared to Apple's own A-series chips.
                                        • The XR2 Gen 2 SoC is also compatible with Android devices, giving Samsung Galaxy users access to a best-in-class XR experience. This may put pressure on Apple Vision Pro users, who have been loyal to iOS apps and products for years.
                                        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                          The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 SoC as they are an investor in the company.

                                          62%

                                          • Unique Points
                                            • It supports high-resolution visuals like those promised by Apple's Vision Pro, with resolution of 4.3K at 90fps per eye and concurrent cameras for passthrough video and body/face tracking.
                                            • The XR2 Plus Gen 2 offers a higher GPU frequency (15% increase) compared to the standard XR2 Gen 2 and greater CPU frequency (up to 20%) in service of spatial computing in high-resolution visuals.
                                            • Qualcomm is offering an AR/VR reference design for OEMs, working with at least five hardware makers including HTC.
                                            • Samsung will host Unpacked in San Jose just a couple of weeks from now and it may preview its Vision Pro competitor there.
                                          • Accuracy
                                            • The Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 is a new chipset designed as a step up from the XR2 Gen 2 in the Meta Quest 3.
                                            • The company highlights its partnership with Samsung and Google as part of this announcement but concrete availability details are still scarce.
                                            • Google has faced internal turmoil on its AR team and reports suggest that Samsung has experienced delays on the hardware side too.
                                            • Apple might be just a few weeks away from launching the Vision Pro, which is a competitor to Qualcomm's XR2 Plus Gen 2.
                                          • Deception (30%)
                                            The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that Qualcomm's new XR chipset aims to compete with Apple's Vision Pro without providing any evidence or context about how it plans to do so. Secondly, the author misrepresents facts when they say that Qualcomm is offering an AR and VR reference design to help OEMs fast-track production. In reality, Qualcomm only offers a software development kit (SDK) for developers who want to create their own XR applications using the Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 chipset. Thirdly, the author uses selective reporting by focusing on Qualcomm's partnership with Samsung and Google while ignoring any other potential partners or competitors in the market.
                                            • The author misrepresents facts when they say that Qualcomm is offering an AR and VR reference design to help OEMs fast-track production. In reality, Qualcomm only offers a software development kit (SDK) for developers who want to create their own XR applications using the Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 chipset.
                                            • The article states that Qualcomm's new XR chipset aims to compete with Apple's Vision Pro without providing any evidence or context about how it plans to do so. This is a lie by omission as there are no details provided on how the Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 can compete with the Vision Pro.
                                            • The article uses selective reporting by focusing on Qualcomm's partnership with Samsung and Google while ignoring any other potential partners or competitors in the market. This is a lie of omission as there are no details provided about any other partnerships or competitors.
                                          • Fallacies (75%)
                                            The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that Qualcomm is offering an AR and VR reference design to help OEMs fast-track production. This statement implies that the reference design will be successful in its purpose without providing any evidence or information about it.
                                            • Qualcomm is offering an AR and VR reference design to help OEMs fast-track production.
                                          • Bias (75%)
                                            The article is biased towards Qualcomm's new XR chipset and its ability to compete with the Vision Pro. The author uses language that deifies Qualcomm's product and puts it on a pedestal by comparing it to Apple's Vision Pro.
                                            • A year after Qualcomm, Samsung, and Google announced something VR-related
                                              • Higher-res visuals are the key differentiator between this chipset and the standard XR2 Gen 2.
                                                • Qualcomm is offering an AR and VR reference design to help OEMs fast-track production
                                                  • Samsung is hosting Unpacked in San Jose just a couple of weeks from now. What better place to preview a Vision Pro competitor than down the street from Cupertino?
                                                    • The company also highlights its aforementioned partnership with Samsung and Google prominently as part of this announcement
                                                      • The new chipset is designed as a step up from the XR2 Gen 2 in the Meta Quest 3
                                                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                                        There are multiple examples of conflicts of interest in this article. Qualcomm is a competitor to Samsung and Google, which are also mentioned as partners in the development of the XR chipset. Additionally, there is no disclosure about any financial ties between Allison Johnson and these companies.
                                                        • Google is also mentioned as a partner in this announcement, but concrete availability details are still scarce. This suggests that there may be some level of competition between Google and Samsung for market share in the VR industry.
                                                          • Qualcomm says that the new chipset offers a 15 percent increase in GPU frequency compared to the standard XR2 Gen 2 and 20 percent greater CPU frequency all in service of spatial computing in 4K. This suggests that Qualcomm is trying to compete with Samsung's Vision Pro.
                                                            • The article mentions partnerships with at least five hardware makers, including HTC, but does not provide any specific details about the nature or extent of these partnerships. This could suggest a potential conflict of interest if Qualcomm has financial ties to any of these companies.
                                                            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                                              The author has a conflict of interest with Qualcomm and Samsung as they are mentioned in the article. The author also mentions Google's partnership with Samsung which could be seen as a potential conflict of interest.
                                                              • Qualcomm says that the new chipset offers a 15 percent increase in GPU frequency compared to the standard XR2 Gen 2 and 20 percent greater CPU frequency all in service of spatial computing in 4K. This could be seen as an endorsement for Qualcomm's product.
                                                                • The author mentions that Samsung is hosting Unpacked in San Jose just a couple of weeks from now, which could be seen as promoting the company and its products.