However, to take advantage of these features, users will need a phone powered by Qualcomm's also-new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The company also clarified that the new technology will not be compatible with Apple devices, as Apple is focused on its own cross-device ecosystem and is not participating in Snapdragon Sound. The actual performance of the new platforms and how well they manage the switch between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth remains to be seen.
Key takeaways:
- Qualcomm is planning to use Wi-Fi, in addition to Bluetooth, in its next Snapdragon Sound platform to improve the performance of wireless audio devices.
- The company is announcing the S7 and S7 Pro platforms, which will be included in earbuds, headphones, and speakers starting next year. These platforms promise significant increases in compute power, memory, AI capabilities, and more.
- The S7 Pro platform includes a new micro-power Wi-Fi support that allows for 192kHz lossless audio delivered over Wi-Fi without significantly draining battery life. This is achieved through Qualcomm's Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN) technology.
- However, these advancements will require a phone powered by Qualcomm's also-new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and will not apply to Apple devices as Apple is focused on its own cross-device ecosystem and is not participating in Snapdragon Sound.