--- markdown_generated_at: "2026-10-14" title: "XR is the future of mobile computing. We are making mobile XR a reality." url: "https://www.qualcomm.com/research/extended-reality" description: "Explore how Qualcomm’s XR research has made augmented reality and virtual reality into actual reality. Read papers, watch presentations, and learn more." canonicalUrl: "https://www.qualcomm.com/research/extended-reality" --- # XR is the future of mobile computing. We are making mobile XR a reality. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/xr-01-1col-hero-xr-badge-blue?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha&wid=700) Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term encapsulating Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and everything in between. XR is revolutionizing everyday consumer experiences and transforming diverse industry segments from industrial manufacturing and healthcare to education and retail. We’re developing the foundational technology required for XR, driving the industry forward, and making our vision of sleek, immersive XR headsets a reality. ## Convergence: one device to rule them all. We envision the convergence of the smartphone, VR headset, and AR glasses into a single, sleek headset. XR could replace all the other screens in your life, like that big TV in your living room or your monitor at work. XR has the potential to become one of the world’s most ubiquitous and disruptive computing platforms — similar to the smartphone today. ## Boundless XR experiences. Boundless XR creates immersive mobile XR experiences with photorealistic visuals by combining on-device processing, 5G, and edge cloud processing. We’re leading the XR and 5G ecosystem towards a split-rendering architecture that provides an efficient end-to-end solution. - [Download the boundless XR presentation](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/Presentation-Enabling-the-metaverse-with-5G.pdf) - [Read the blog post](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2022/11/enabling-the-metaverse-with-5g) - [Watch the demo](https://youtu.be/hXwE_uIH0o0) ## Solving the key XR technology challenges ahead. Achieving our vision of sleek, comfortable, and fashionable XR glasses that are immersive, intelligent, and always connected is extremely challenging. There are various technical problems that need to be solved for XR to reach mainstream adoption. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/FacialRecognition?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Perception Intelligent on-device head, hand, and eye tracking plus environment understanding is required to interact intuitively and create immersion in XR. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/Artificial_Intelligence-2?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### AI Efficient on-device machine learning is required to run perception, computer vision, and generative AI models for XR. [Learn more about AI](https://www.qualcomm.com/research/artificial-intelligence) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/EnhancedBatteryLife?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Power and thermal Meeting the always-on, compute-intensive workloads of XR within the power and thermal constraints of sleek XR glasses is very challenging. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/Transmitting-1?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Connectivity Seamless and ubiquitous connectivity to the internet and cloud services is required for XR to reach its full potential. [Learn more about 5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/5g) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/SpacialMapping-Meshing_XR?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Display XR needs a disruptive revolution in display technology to show richer visual content, and to switch seamlessly between real and virtual worlds. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/ImageRecognition-Tracking_XR?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Common illumination Making virtual objects in augmented worlds indistinguishable from real objects is a tremendous challenge, especially under diverse lighting conditions. ## Accelerating the XR industry. Building on our leadership in multimedia, AI, and wireless technology, Qualcomm Technologies is uniquely positioned to deliver superior XR experiences at low power. We’re developing the foundational technology required for XR, such as perception, 3D graphics, spatial audio, computer vision, machine learning, and 5G technologies. Snapdragon® XR/AR platforms are engineered to provide efficient heterogeneous computing solutions that are optimized from end-to-end. The Snapdragon Spaces™ XR Developer Platform is enabling developers to pioneer innovative experiences that will lead the next generation of immersive technology and speedup adoption. **Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.** ## Our technologies and solutions are making immersive XR experiences possible. ![An icon representing a VR headset, a contributing tech to immersive XR](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/XR-2?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Virtual reality See how our solutions are making fully immersive VR experiences a reality. [Explore VR](https://www.qualcomm.com/xr-vr-ar/applications/virtual-reality-vr) ![An icon representing augmented reality, with different shades representing a heads-up display.](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/AR-AugmentedReality?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Augmented reality See how our solutions are making seamless AR experiences a reality. [Explore AR](https://www.qualcomm.com/xr-vr-ar/applications/augmented-reality-ar) ![An icon representing immersive technology, how it affects visual senses and surrounds the user with the experience.](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/ObjectRecognition-Tracking_XR?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### Snapdragon Spaces Get started with developing immersive experiences for AR glasses. [Explore Snapdragon Spaces](https://spaces.qualcomm.com/) ## The Latest - OnQ Blog: [Reimagining Fixed Wireless Access: Qualcomm Dragonwing FWA Gen 6 Elite Platform](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2026/10/dragonwing-fwa-gen-6-fixed-wireless-access-platform) Oct 12, 2026 | 4 min read Tags: [Dragonwing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Dragonwing), [Fixed Wireless Access](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Fixed%20Wireless%20Access), [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G) - OnQ Blog: [How Qualcomm Dragonwing Security and Management is designed to help broadband operators turn intelligence into subscriber value](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2026/10/dragonwing-sam-broadband-intelligence) Oct 12, 2026 | 4 min read Tags: [Dragonwing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Dragonwing), [Broadband](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Broadband), [Networking](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Networking) - OnQ Blog: [How Qualcomm Dragonwing Point Access Series unlocks mmWave in emerging markets](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2026/10/qualcomm-dragonwing-point-access-series-mmwave-emerging-markets) Oct 12, 2026 | 5 min read Tags: [Dragonwing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Dragonwing), [Fixed Wireless Access](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Fixed%20Wireless%20Access), [mmWave](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=mmWave) - OnQ Blog: [Your guide to the mobile experiences shaping what’s next at Snapdragon Summit 2026](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2026/09/mobile-experiences-snapdragon-summit-2026) Sep 24, 2026 | 5 min read Tags: [Snapdragon Summit](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Snapdragon%20Summit), [Snapdragon Mobile Platform](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Snapdragon%20Mobile%20Platform), [Mobile Games](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Mobile%20Games) - OnQ Blog: [Agentic commerce: Enabling agents to understand, anticipate and act](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2026/09/agentic-commerce-ai-agents-mastercard) Sep 24, 2026 | 7 min read Tags: [Agentic AI](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Agentic%20AI), [Personal AI](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Personal%20AI), [On-Device AI](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=On-Device%20AI) ### Get started with developing immersive experiences for AR glasses [Learn more](https://spaces.qualcomm.com/) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/Snapdragon-spaces_logo?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha&wid=700) ## Videos ## Stay informed with our AI and computing newsletter. [Sign up now](https://assets.qualcomm.com/mobile-computing-newsletter-sign-up.html) Documents | Document | Format | Date | |---|---|---| | Presentation - Enabling the metaverse with 5G | Download (PDF) | Nov 9, 2022 | | Boundless XR and cloud gaming over 5G | Download (PDF) | Aug 4, 2021 |