New Qualcomm MR Reference Headset Shows What to Expect From Samsung
Qualcomm has revealed its latest reference headset, which is likely the foundation for Samsung's upcoming mixed reality headset.
Qualcomm's Latest Reference Headset
Alongside the announcement of the new Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip, Qualcomm also revealed its latest reference headset, a mixed reality device that’s likely the foundation of Samsung’s upcoming headset.
Samsung announced last year that it’s working with both Google and Qualcomm on an XR device. Qualcomm is the leading provider of processors powering XR devices, and their reference headsets serve as blueprints for customers, such as Samsung, to develop their own devices.
Features of the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 Reference Headset
Like most of Qualcomm's reference headsets, the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 reference headset is made in partnership with Goertek. Some of its notable features include:
- Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor
- Eye-tracking from Tobii
- Support for 18.5MP per-eye resolution at 90Hz
- 12 concurrent cameras
- Pancake lenses
- Hardware IPD adjustment
- Microphone array
- 3.5mm headphone port
- Wi-Fi 6/6E/7
What the Reference Headset Tells Us About Samsung's Upcoming Device
While Samsung's headset will have different aesthetics, its form-factor is unlikely to deviate significantly from the Qualcomm reference headset. The XR2+ Gen 2 chip is designed for a certain power consumption, heat dissipation, and camera count. If Samsung were building something significantly smaller, they would likely use the Snapdragon AR2 platform instead.
The camera stack is likely to be similar, as XR2+ Gen 2 increases the concurrent camera count. However, the display and lenses will likely be heavily customized in the finished product. Samsung's headset is expected to have a display resolution between 2K and 3K per-eye, and it remains to be seen if they will use LCD or OLED display technology.
