Samsung and Google are collaborating with Qualcomm on the development of mixed reality smart glasses.

• Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm, revealed that the company is collaborating with Samsung and Google to develop mixed-reality glasses.
• Samsung, Qualcomm, and Google's smart glasses are a distinct approach from Apple's Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset launched this year that is worn on the head and can be controlled through hand gestures.
• Amon stated that he anticipates that everyone with a phone will purchase companion glasses to complement the partnership.

Cristiano Amon, CEO of the chip designer, revealed to CNBC that the company is collaborating with Samsung and Google on a mixed-reality glasses connected to a smartphone, in contrast to Apple's headset launch.

Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm formed a partnership last year to develop mixed-reality technology, which combines augmented and virtual reality to create digital images that are superimposed on the real world.

Amon's comments are among the first to shed light on the project.

Amon stated that the mixed reality partnership will result in a new product and new experiences.

Amon stated that he expects the partnership to result in everyone with a phone purchasing companion glasses.

Samsung and Google were not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.

The CEO mentioned Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which resemble regular sunglasses but are wirelessly connected to a smartphone and feature an in-built camera. Additionally, they are equipped with a voice assistant powered by Meta's Llama AI model.

Smart glasses are targeted by Qualcomm as a key area for mixed reality, which helps the company expand its business beyond smartphones. The company has a chip called the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1, designed for this purpose.

Qualcomm boasts that its chips used in smartphones and PCs enable AI applications to run directly on the device instead of being processed through the cloud via the internet.

Amon stated that AI will operate on various devices, including the cloud, glass, and phone, resulting in unique experiences.

Smaller market

Despite being a smaller market, virtual and augmented reality headsets are expected to ship 9.7 million units this year, which is significantly lower than the forecast of 1.23 billion smartphones, according to the International Data Corporation.

Smart glasses could address common complaints with AR and VR devices, which are typically bulky headsets and uncomfortable to wear.

Amon stated, "Once we accept that glasses are equivalent to regular glasses or sunglasses, we can achieve scale."

Samsung, Qualcomm, and Google's smart glasses are a distinct approach from Apple's Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset launched this year that is worn on the head and can be controlled through hand gestures.

Roh, the head of Samsung's mobile division, announced in an interview with CNBC that the company would reveal a new "mixed-reality platform" this year. While Roh did not provide specific details, it is believed to be a software product.