Snap unit to use Qualcomm chips for upcoming AI smart glasses

Specs, the Snap smart glasses unit formed early this year, will use Qualcomm chips for its upcoming devices under a multi-year deal announced on Friday, marking its first major move.

The Specs ‌smart glasses ⁠launching ⁠later this year will use the Snapdragon XR processor platform, the two companies said on Friday. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

The deal builds on a years-long tie-up that has seen Qualcomm chips ⁠power multiple ‌previous generations of Snap's developer-focused smart glasses called Spectacles.


Snap established its Specs ⁠unit in January to compete with Meta, whose Ray-Ban AI smart glasses developed with EssilorLuxottica have become one of the few breakthrough successes in the race for AI-powered gadgets.

The Specs unit aims to provide more independence to the ‌team that is working on smart glasses and also opens room for external ​investment, the ​Snapchat-parent ⁠has said.

Friday's announcement comes after activist investor Irenic Capital Management, which disclosed an economic interest of about 2.5% in Snap's Class A shares, last week pushed the company to either spin off or shutter its Specs unit and cut costs.