Snap to use Qualcomm chips in future AR glasses under new multi-year deal

Snap Inc (NYSE:SNAP) said it has signed a new multi-year agreement with Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:QCOM, XETRA:QCI) to power future generations of its augmented reality (AR) eyewear with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors.

Agreement details and product roadmap

The deal centers on Snap’s subsidiary, Specs, which is preparing to launch a new product line called “Specs” later this year. Specs describes the offering as standalone, see-through smart glasses designed to integrate digital content into a user’s physical surroundings.

Under the agreement, future versions of Specs will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR platforms, which are designed for extended reality devices. Qualcomm said the chips combine artificial intelligence processing with energy-efficient performance, enabling capabilities such as real-time contextual awareness and on-device computing.

Building on an existing partnership

Snap and Qualcomm said the expanded agreement builds on their existing relationship. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platforms have powered several earlier versions of Snap’s Spectacles, with the partnership spanning more than five years.

Planned capabilities

Both companies said the agreement will focus on long-term product development and technical alignment. Planned capabilities for upcoming devices include:

• Enhanced on-device AI
• Improved graphics performance
• Support for shared or multiuser digital experiences

Developer ecosystem and consistency

Snap said the partnership is also intended to support a growing ecosystem of developers building applications for Specs. The companies aim to provide a consistent hardware roadmap to encourage more advanced software development over time.

Executive commentary

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel said the company believes the future of computing will be “more human” and “grounded in the real world.” He added that the work with Qualcomm provides a foundation for Specs, bringing developers and consumers advanced technology and performance.

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon emphasized the importance of context-aware devices that can respond to what users see and hear in real time. He said future generations of Specs will enable power-efficient interactive AR devices with “agentic experiences” designed to feel natural and integrate into daily life.

Market reaction

On the news, Qualcomm shares traded up 2%, while Snap stock edged 1% lower.