Qualcomm has unveiled Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, its next-generation audio platform for wireless headphones and earbuds, promising improved active noise cancellation, greater power efficiency and substantially more AI processing power.

The new platform offers twice the AI capabilities of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S7 Gen 1 Sound platform while using up to 40% less power. It is also 30% smaller, potentially allowing manufacturers to devote more space to larger drivers, batteries and other components without increasing the overall size of their headphones.

Qualcomm processors are already used in products from brands including Bose, Cambridge Audio, Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins, so the new platform could find its way into a range of upcoming wireless headphones and earbuds.

Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 features multi-core processing designed to handle AI, audio, communications and wellness-sensing functions simultaneously.

Qualcomm has also introduced what it calls “integrated micro-power Wi-Fi”, which is intended to provide connectivity to cloud-based audio services and personal AI features while minimising the impact on battery life.

The platform will support Bluetooth 7.0 and Higher Bands, along with Qualcomm’s XPAN technology and lossless, low-latency audio.

Active noise cancellation is another area where Qualcomm is promising significant improvements. The company claims ANC can be up to twice as effective as on the previous generation, with the technology designed to automatically adapt to changes in fit, movement and surrounding noise.

Qualcomm says the platform should also deliver stronger noise cancellation in challenging conditions, including environments with significant low-frequency noise and rapidly changing background sounds, as well as in open-ear headphone designs.

Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 will also introduce Snapdragon Sound Apps and Agents, a software platform that will allow third-party developers and services to add functionality to compatible headphones.

The system is powered by software ecosystem MicroEJ, with Qobuz, Roon and connected-audio company Cinemo confirmed as launch partners.

How much of an improvement Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 ultimately delivers will depend on how individual headphone manufacturers implement the platform.

The first headphones and earbuds featuring the new technology are expected to begin arriving soon.