Qualcomm’s New Chip Signals a Future Beyond Smartphones

The next wave of tech devices may not have a screen. You might not realize they’re recording you. And you might not even realize they’re tech gadgets at all. Qualcomm, whose chips power smartphones from major Android device makers, launched a new chip on Monday for these emerging product categories.

The Rise of Discreet Devices

Qualcomm says it’s seeing growing interest from tech companies in devices that resemble pendants, pins, glasses, and other wearable items. This shift suggests a potential evolution beyond the smartphone-centric tech landscape. Tech companies are racing to predict whether the popularity of artificial intelligence will result in a new hit product, similar to how the internet laid the foundation for the smartphone.

Snapdragon Wear Elite: Powering the Next Generation

The new chip, called the Snapdragon Wear Elite, is designed with these smaller form factors in mind, but will also power smartwatches. Qualcomm stated the chip is optimized for running AI models and seamless communication with other devices without significantly draining battery life, even in devices that are continuously recording and transmitting data. Google, Motorola, and Samsung are among the companies planning to integrate the chip into their products.

Smart Glasses Lead the Charge

The early success of smart glasses has been a key indicator for Qualcomm. According to Counterpoint Research, global shipments of smart glasses grew 139% in the second half of 2025 compared to the previous year. Ziad Asghar, who leads Qualcomm’s wearables and personal AI devices division, noted this growth has bolstered the company’s confidence in the market.

Challenges and Competition

However, convincing consumers to embrace these new devices presents a significant challenge. Humane, a startup founded by former Apple executives, recently sold parts of its business to HP after its AI Pin failed to gain traction. Despite this setback, Asghar believes wearable gadgets can offer efficiencies over smartphones, citing instant translation during conversations as an example. Smart glasses and earbuds can provide real-time translations directly in the user’s line of sight and ear, eliminating the need to look at a phone screen.

Potential Applications and Industry Interest

Interest extends beyond consumer applications. Asghar highlighted the retail industry’s potential use of AI-powered devices with cameras to track shopper behavior. Devices worn on the body can leverage cameras, microphones, and other sensors to understand contextual information, enhancing the user experience.

Industry Giants Invest in Wearable AI

Meta, Google, and Samsung are heavily investing in smart glasses that utilize AI to analyze and respond to the wearer’s surroundings. Amazon considers its Bee voice-recording bracelet crucial to the future of Alexa. Apple is reportedly developing both smart glasses and a pendant, according to Bloomberg. OpenAI is expected to launch its first hardware product – a smart speaker – next year, as reported by The Information. Startups like Friend AI and Plaud are also making waves with their pendant and pin devices.

Google’s Cautious Approach

While Google hasn’t announced plans beyond its existing product lines, Bjørn Kilburn, vice president and general manager of Google’s smartwatch software, emphasized the company is closely monitoring these new device types. “At the end of the day, it’ll reach down to, ‘Is it a superior product for the user? Does it do something that existing things couldn’t do?’ And so, if something like that emerges, then we’d be silly not to take a look at it,” Kilburn told CNN.

Privacy Concerns and Responsible Development

The proliferation of these devices raises significant privacy concerns, particularly regarding surreptitious recording. While most devices, like Meta’s smart glasses and the Amazon Bee bracelet, feature LED indicators to signal recording activity, reports have surfaced of misuse, including unauthorized recording of individuals. Google acknowledges its “huge responsibility” to protect user privacy and intends to proceed deliberately, considering potential negative use cases. The company learned from the privacy backlash surrounding its earlier Google Glass project in 2013.