Qualcomm CEO reveals secret wearable AI devices to replace smartphones
Updated
Updated · Fortune · May 9
Qualcomm CEO reveals secret wearable AI devices to replace smartphones
10 articles · Updated · Fortune · May 9
Cristiano Amon said from Qualcomm's San Diego headquarters that OpenAI, Meta and other unnamed companies are building glasses, jewellery, pins and pendants centred on autonomous agents.
He said the first devices will reach market this year, with wider adoption by 2027 or 2028, as agents handle tasks such as payments, price checks and rescheduling appointments.
Amon cast glasses as the leading format in an "ecosystem of you", while citing ByteDance's sold-out 30,000-unit AI handset as early evidence that control is shifting from app stores to agents.
With OpenAI reportedly building a smartphone, will AI wearables truly replace our phones or just become another accessory?
Will the rise of AI agents controlled by tech giants dismantle the independent app store economy as we know it?
As AI agents gain power to spend our money, who is liable when they make a costly or harmful mistake?
Beyond Smartphones: How Qualcomm and AI Wearables Are Shaping a $10B Market by 2030
Overview
AI wearables are set to transform personal computing, with Qualcomm leading the way by treating wearables as a first-class AI computing platform. The industry is moving beyond smartphones, focusing on dedicated AI hardware and advanced chipsets like the Snapdragon Wear Elite, which uses a cutting-edge 3nm process and innovative architecture. Qualcomm’s strategic partnerships and new technologies are driving this shift, enabling more powerful, always-on devices. As these advancements come to market, AI wearables are expected to deliver smarter, more intuitive experiences, marking a major step forward in how we interact with technology every day.