Qualcomm Launches New Sound Platforms for Enhanced Audio Experience

Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. unveiled two new sound platforms, the Qualcomm® S3 Gen 3 and Qualcomm® S5 Gen 3, aimed at redefining the audio experience across various tiers of earbuds, headphones, and speakers. These platforms are designed to support developers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in delivering high-quality sound experiences to consumers.

Key Highlights:

• The Qualcomm S3 Gen 3 Sound platform enhances mid-tier devices with support for third-party feature enhancements, aiming to bring high-quality sound to more users.
• It supports Snapdragon Sound and 24-bit 48kHz lossless music streaming, extending audiophile-level sound to a wider audience.
• The Qualcomm S5 Gen 3 Sound Platform introduces a new architecture that simplifies development and boosts AI power by 50 times compared to its predecessor, enhancing active noise cancellation (ANC) and voice processing.
• Both platforms are part of Qualcomm’s effort to provide rich sound features at various price points, from premium to mid-tier.

The S3 Gen 3 platform allows for a high level of customization and flexibility for OEMs, featuring a broad support for third-party enhancements through the Qualcomm Voice and Music Extension Program. This program includes a range of technologies such as spatial audio, echo cancellation, and health tracking, all validated in advance to help OEMs speed up time to market while offering consumers the features they desire.

On the higher end, the S5 Gen 3 platform’s new architecture paves the way for developers to innovate, powered by a significant increase in computing and AI capabilities. This advancement enables devices to adapt to the user’s environment and usage for a seamless audio experience whether at home, work, or on the move.

Dino Bekis, vice president and general manager at Qualcomm, expressed the company’s commitment to elevating the sound experience across all tiers. He highlighted the importance of the Qualcomm Voice & Music Extension Program in providing OEMs with a competitive edge and the ability to offer differentiated audio technologies at more accessible price points.

Youfei Wang, General Manager at vivo, shared excitement about the upcoming launch of the world’s first device powered by the Qualcomm S3 Gen 3 Sound Platform. He emphasized the platform’s ability to deliver audiophile-quality music listening, enabling users to experience music as the artists intended.

For further details on the Qualcomm S3 Gen 3 and S5 Gen 3 Sound platforms, interested parties are directed to Qualcomm’s product pages and the Qualcomm Voice & Music Extension Program for additional information.