Qualcomm’s new ‘Elite’ sound chip might finally deliver the Wi-Fi earbud dream

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Qualcomm" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/vlcsnap-2026-09-24-16h29m15s548.png?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">What if your wireless earbuds - or audio glasses - could stream high-quality lossless audio that <em>doesn't</em> cut out when you leave your phone on the bedside charger or buried in the couch? Qualcomm's new <a href="https://www.qualcomm.com/audio/products/snapdragon-sound-elite-gen-2">Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2</a> is its first to integrate "micro-power Wi-Fi 6E" right into the chip, so they can connect directly to your home Wi-Fi network, and from there to the cloud.</p> <img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/image-26.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="&lt;em&gt;Qualcomm&apos;s old whitepaper shows that it originally required two chips for Wi-Fi earbuds. Now, Wi-Fi is integrated into the main chip.&lt;/em&gt; | Image: Qualcomm" data-portal-copyright="Image: Qualcomm"> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">If that sounds like a familiar promise, it's probably because Qualcomm promised something similar back in 2023 <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/24/23930039/qualcomm-snapdragon-sound-s7-pro-announced-earbuds-wifi">with the "S7 Pro sound platform"</a> and its Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN) tech, saying that Wi-Fi earbuds can do what Bluetooth alone cannot. Name …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1000443/qualcomms-new-elite-sound-chip-might-finally-deliver-the-wi-fi-earbud-dream">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>