Qualcomm unveils AI focused wearable chip

Qualcomm has unveiled its Snapdragon Wear Elite chip at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, positioning it for a new wave of AI-driven wearable devices. The company said the processor is aimed at pins, pendants, and potentially display-free smart glasses.

Built on a 3nm process, the chip includes both an eNPU for low-power AI tasks and a Hexagon NPU for heavier on-device processing. Qualcomm said the platform can handle up to two billion parameters locally, supporting more advanced AI features without relying on the cloud.

The Snapdragon Wear Elite is designed to sit alongside the existing W5 Plus rather than replace it. Qualcomm added that the chip improves power efficiency, with GPS tracking using 40 per cent less power and fast charging that delivers around 50 per cent of battery capacity in 10 minutes.

Connectivity features include satellite support, 5G, ultra wideband and Bluetooth 6.0. Qualcomm signalled that longer battery life and on-device AI performance will be central to the next generation of wearable AI gadgets.

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