Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon Sound S5 and S3 Gen 2 Chipsets for Bluetooth LE Audio Products

During its Snapdragon Summit 2022, Qualcomm unveiled the latest generation of Snapdragon processors and chips that will power mobile devices, wearables and countless consumer electronics and audio devices to be introduced in 2023. The Snapdragon S5 Gen 2, and the Snapdragon S3 Gen 2 Bluetooth audio chipsets are the evolution from the devices announced in 2022, designed to support Bluetooth LE Audio.

Audio-Technica announced the release of its ATH-TWX9 truly wireless earbuds based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sound, featuring digital hybrid noise-cancelling technology, aptX Adaptive and spatial audio, among many other outstanding features. Featuring new 5.8mm drivers, these earbuds deliver an extended high-frequency range and improved sound detail as anyone familiar with the brand would expect. And the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 earbuds are not only feature-rich but also allow unique levels of personalization.

Edifier released the STAX Spirit S3, the brand's first wireless premium over-ear headphones and the first product in their new STAX Spirit product line. To create a product suitable for today's competitive market, designed with audio professionals and enthusiasts in mind, Edifier is using patented planar magnetic technologies licensed from Audeze, combined with a Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound Bluetooth 5.2 platform with aptX HD, allowing for superior performance in wireless, portable headphones, with multi-connectivity.

At Mobile World Congress 2022 in Barcelona, Qualcomm announced new options for brands and developers to offer the latest technologies in wireless audio. Qualcomm announced the latest S5 and S3 Sound Platforms with support for new Snapdragon Sound experiences, featuring lossless CD-quality streaming over Bluetooth, stereo recording, ultra-low latency sound with in-game chat, and adaptive active noise cancellation. Both new platforms already offer support for Bluetooth LE Audio.

Reacting to the fact that streaming music services have started to offer lossless music streaming options, Qualcomm has now extended its aptX Adaptive set of technologies - supported by its latest Snapdragon Sound processors - to also include a CD-quality lossless option over Bluetooth. The new aptX Lossless technology expands options available for Bluetooth wireless audio, combining codec, wireless link and RF optimizations.

In early March 2021, following a series of announcements in development platforms and solutions for wireless audio, Qualcomm announced Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound, a new end-to-end approach to promote high-resolution digital audio and enhanced voice communications across devices. The systems' approach combines and optimizes multiple Qualcomm technologies for mobile platforms, processing, connectivity, plus the latest aptX Adaptive audio technologies needed to improve the sound experience for consumers. But how can manufacturers and new brands benefit? Will there be a lossless extension for aptX Adaptive? We asked the questions to Jonny McClintock, Director of aptX Sales & Marketing at Qualcomm.

Goertek has unveiled a new earbud reference design to help manufacturers looking to implement Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound technology speed their time to market. Powered by the Qualcomm QCC5141 Bluetooth Audio SoC, the Rox reference design is optimized for use in TWS earbuds and hearables and is designed to deliver high-resolution music, crystal-clear voice calls, and lag-free gaming — with superior connectivity and extended battery life.

Following previous announcements in development platforms and solutions for wireless audio, Qualcomm announced Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound, a new end-to-end approach to promote high resolution digital audio and enhanced voice communications across devices. The approach combines and optimizes multiple Qualcomm technologies for mobile platforms, processing, connectivity, plus the latest aptX Adaptive audio technologies needed to improve the sound experience for consumers.

During the annual Snapdragon Tech Summit Digital 2020, Qualcomm introduced its latest flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform, which will set the benchmark for flagship Android smartphones in 2021. This new platform packs industry-leading mobile innovations in 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), gaming, and camera technologies, while offering all the processing and connectivity power to enable next-generation immersive audio experiences, including support for Bluetooth 5.2 with LE Audio features.