Samsung Teams Up with Qualcomm for XR Chips

Samsung Electronics has entered into a strategic partnership with Qualcomm to develop high-performance chips specifically designed for XR (Extended Reality) devices, marking a significant advancement in the XR market. This collaboration is set to heighten competition with Apple, which has launched its XR-dedicated chip, the R1, for the Vision Pro.

Industry insiders revealed on August 7 that Samsung Electronics is working on XR-specific chips at its System-on-Chip (SoC) Architecture Laboratory within Samsung Research America (SRA) in the United States. The SoC Architecture Laboratory is actively recruiting chip design experts to strengthen its XR chip development team.

The Mobile eXperience (MX) division, responsible for Samsung's XR device operations, is spearheading the chip development project. The initiative is led by Neeraj Parikh, a chip expert hired from Intel last year. Parikh's extensive knowledge in semiconductor design is anticipated to be pivotal in creating these high-performance chips.

This XR chip development underscores Samsung Electronics' commitment to establishing its XR business as a key growth area. In collaboration with Qualcomm, the new chip is expected to be integrated into the next generation of XR devices. The strategic partnership aims to equip XR devices with high-performance chips, enhancing functionality and user experience.

Samsung Electronics plans to introduce a new XR platform to the public by the end of this year, aiming to secure a leadership position in the XR market. This move is expected to intensify technological competition with Apple, which has already achieved significant progress in the XR domain with its Vision Pro device.

Extended Reality (XR) technology, which includes Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), blends the physical and digital worlds to deliver immersive experiences. Developing dedicated chips for XR devices is essential for providing seamless and high-quality user experiences.

As the XR market continues to expand, high-performance chips are crucial for meeting users' expectations of immersive experiences. The development efforts led by Samsung's research center in the US highlight the importance of investing in cutting-edge technology to stay ahead in the competitive tech industry.