Snapdragon XR Day: Qualcomm Ignites India’s Spatial Computing Revolution with Next-Gen Smart Wearables

Qualcomm hosted its Snapdragon XR Day, and the message was loud and clear: India is at the centre of the next big wave in immersive tech. As part of its broader “Snapdragon for India” strategy, the tech giant laid out a compelling vision for the future of Extended Reality (XR)—and how it’s not just about virtual headsets anymore, but about smart glasses, AI-powered wearables, and real-world use cases built for everyday life.

Rather than flashy gimmicks, Qualcomm focused on practicality: how XR, powered by AI and edge computing, can improve the way we see, record, understand, and interact with the world.

Making Smart Glasses Smarter: Meet Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1

One of the day’s biggest highlights was the official debut of Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1, a dedicated platform made especially for smart glasses. These aren’t the bulky AR headsets of the past. Think lighter, slimmer, more useful.

With dual 12MP image sensors, these glasses can take high-quality photos and record 6MP videos, making them perfect for capturing moments on the go—hands-free. But what makes them truly next-gen is the on-device AI.

Thanks to Qualcomm’s 3rd-gen Hexagon NPU and a dedicated AR visual engine, users can perform real-time visual searches, get instant translations of text in their environment, and even receive contextual notifications—all without needing a phone screen.

And because they’re built with the FastConnect 7800 system, you get Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, which means livestreaming directly from your glasses with low latency and high speed is now possible. The design is also optimized for power efficiency, using a 4nm chip that keeps the glasses light, fast, and cool.

Snapdragon W5 Gen 1: Tiny Chip, Big Possibilities

While AR1 powers smart glasses, the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 platform is meant for wearables—and not just watches.

Built on the same efficient 4nm process, it features a quad-core Cortex A53 CPU, a snappy Adreno 702 GPU, and is designed to handle everything from fitness tracking to AI cameras in glasses.

The W5’s biggest strength? Battery efficiency. That means longer usage time for action cameras, voice assistants, and even AR features without needing frequent recharges.

Coolest Products on Display: AI Meets Style

The event wasn’t just about chips and specs. Several real-world gadgets were on display, showing exactly what’s possible when hardware and AI work together. Here are some standout examples:

• Xiaomi AI Glasses

Designed for the masses, these AR1-powered glasses come with a 12MP camera, 2K video recording, and electrochromic lenses that adjust to light. With Xiaomi’s Hyper XiaoAi assistant, they can recognise objects, translate text, and even estimate food calories—perfect for a walk through the streets of Delhi or the shelves of a grocery store. Battery life? A solid 8.6 hours.

• RayNeo V3 Slim

At just 39 grams, these glasses are incredibly light but still pack a punch. You get 4K photos, 1080p video recording, and a superfast 1.3-second AI response time. They use Sony’s IMX681 sensor, and their object recognition accuracy is a stunning 98%. Think of it as your AI assistant, camera, and translator—all on your face.

• Lecoo Fighter G1 (by Lenovo)

These are minimal, no-screen smart glasses powered by AR1, focused on voice and audio interactions. They’ve got a 12MP camera, a five-mic array for crisp audio input, and weigh just 38g. They’re Lenovo’s bet on AI-first, screenless eyewear.

• BleeqUp Ranger

These cycling glasses, powered by the W5 chip, combine a 16MP action camera, open-ear speakers, and walkie-talkie functionality. Built for cyclists, they record 1080p footage and even feature AI-assisted highlight editing, letting you relive your ride instantly.

• LAWK View

Designed for creators and streamers, these smart glasses focus on live video streaming, voice commands, and real-time translation. With open-ear audio, they’re ideal for staying aware of your surroundings while still enjoying private audio.

• Mihup AVA (Automated Virtual Agent)

Though not a wearable, this AI solution deserves a mention. Made by Indian startup Mihup, this voice AI platform has already handled 1.8 billion+ queries across 20+ languages, and its use in the automotive industry—from infotainment to voice controls—is growing fast.

No Screens, No Problem: The New XR Trend

What stood out among many showcased products was a lack of visual displays. Instead of overloading users with digital overlays, these wearables focus on voice commands, audio cues, and AI interactions. This shift isn’t a limitation—it’s a thoughtful design choice that makes XR more accessible and less distracting, especially in daily scenarios.

Why India Matters in the XR Story

At the event, Hugo Swart, Qualcomm’s VP and Head of XR, painted a bullish picture of the XR market. He believes 2024 is just the beginning of a big boom in AR and VR adoption.

Projections show the global AR glasses market could grow from $0.98 billion in 2025 to $9.98 billion by 2030, driven heavily by enterprise use.

And India? It’s not just a consumer base—it’s becoming a core innovation hub. With its massive developer base, growing interest in wearables, and a vibrant startup ecosystem, India is set to shape the future of spatial computing and AI-first wearables.

Snapdragon XR Day wasn’t about flashy tech demos. It was about practical, ready-to-use XR products that are close to hitting the mainstream—and India is clearly a key player in that vision.

Qualcomm’s roadmap blends hardware, AI, and practical use cases, and it’s laying the foundation for a future where your glasses can record your world, translate conversations, and even help you navigate—all without touching your phone.

India is ready for the XR revolution. And Qualcomm is making sure it leads from the front.