Qualcomm Snapdragon Introduces Sound, Promises Better Connectivity and Sound Quality.
Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound is a new collection of audio technologies for smartphones as well as audio devices like wireless headphones and earphones. It was first revealed in December 2020 at the Qualcomm summit. The product suite promises improved connectivity, sound quality, and additional features such as active noise cancellation (ANC) and voice communication applications between Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset-enabled smartphones and wireless headphones and earphones. The technology involves both a source device and an output device.
In the coming weeks, Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound will be available for consumer goods, and it will be enabled on Snapdragon 888-powered smartphones that will be released this year. Original equipment manufacturers, such as mobile and audio component manufacturers, are targeted for the product suite. Manufacturers can get it as a single package that includes the chipset, networking, ANC technology, and Bluetooth codec support, among other things.
When a compatible audio product is used with a supported source device, such as a Snapdragon 888-powered smartphone, the complete suite of audio technologies, such as the aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec, ANC algorithms, Qualcomm FastConnect, and more, will be enabled.
Xiaomi and Japanese headphone maker Audio-Technica are among the first companies to collaborate with Qualcomm on Snapdragon Sound, and the technology suite will be used in some of the companies’ upcoming products. Interoperability will be shown for customers by a new pop-up logo that confirms the presence of Snapdragon Sound technologies. Of course, the technology must be supported by both the source and output devices – portable headphones, earphones, or even speakers.
The Snapdragon 8-series chipset range, Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 for faster and more stable Bluetooth connectivity, various QCC series Bluetooth SoCs, Qualcomm Active Noise Cancelling technology, the aptX Adaptive codec for high-resolution audio transmission over Bluetooth, and the Qualcomm Aqstic DAC and amplifier are all part of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound suite. Qualcomm is also allowing manufacturers to licence the whole suite for their products. In order to promote high-resolution music streaming and make better use of Snapdragon Sound’s technology and advantages, the company collaborated with Amazon Music HD to demonstrate and certify the listening experience.