Qualcomm Technologies has introduced two sound platforms: the Qualcomm S3 Gen 3 and Qualcomm S5 Gen 3 Sound platforms.
Research firm Canalys estimates that global smart personal audio shipments for 2024 will be 3.3 percent higher than in 2023.
“Audio product vendors will prioritize increased device capabilities, such as spatial audio, hearing enhancements and Bluetooth LE, to match product developments from their competitors. Expected flagship portfolio launches from Apple and Samsung should boost the market in 2024,” Jack Leathem, Research Analyst at Canalys, said in December 2023.
Qualcomm said these platforms promise to deliver better sound experiences previously unattainable at the S5 and S3 tiers.
The Qualcomm S3 Gen 3 Sound platform is crafted to enrich experiences on mid-tier devices by offering more support for third-party solutions from the Qualcomm Voice & Music Extension Program. This ecosystem comprises innovative technologies optimized to complement and elevate Qualcomm Sound platforms.
Through pre-validation, OEMs can navigate time-to-market challenges while ensuring consumers access a plethora of rich features including hearing enhancement, spatial audio, echo cancellation, and health tracking.
In the premium tier, the Qualcomm S5 Gen 3 Sound Platform introduces a new architectural paradigm poised to fuel developer ingenuity and deliver elevated sound experiences. Boasting three times more computing power and a staggering 50-fold increase in AI capability compared to its predecessor, this platform empowers devices to adapt seamlessly to the user’s context and environment, whether at work, home, or on the move.
Dino Bekis, Vice President and General Manager of Wearables and Mixed Signals Solutions at Qualcomm Technologies, has emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing the sound experience across its portfolio, spanning from the ultra-premium S7 to the mid-tier S3.
Moreover, Dino Bekis underscored the potential of the Qualcomm S5 Gen 3 Sound Platform’s enhanced architecture and augmented AI capabilities for premium-tier devices. He noted its capacity to facilitate the development of intelligent devices capable of monitoring user environments and behaviors to deliver tailored experiences.
Excitement surrounding the announcement was palpable, with Youfei Wang, General Manager of the Intelligent Terminal Development Department at vivo, expressing anticipation for the imminent launch of the world’s first device powered by the Qualcomm S3 Gen 3 Sound Platform.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
