Qualcomm has introduced two new processors, the Dragonwing Q-2390 and IQ-2390, that aim to make artificial intelligence accessible to a much broader range of everyday devices by combining AI capabilities, vision processing, and connectivity in cost-effective packages. These chips are designed to bring intelligence to consumer products, commercial systems, and industrial equipment without requiring expensive cloud computing or complex integration.

Why Are Affordable On-Device AI Chips Important?

For years, AI has been concentrated in data centers and high-end devices, but a shift is underway toward processing data locally on devices themselves. This approach, called edge AI, offers real benefits: faster response times, better privacy since data stays on the device, and lower operating costs. However, most edge AI chips have been expensive or limited in capability, keeping them out of reach for many manufacturers. Qualcomm's new processors aim to change that equation.

The Dragonwing Q-2390 targets consumer and commercial products that need AI smarts but operate under tight budgets and power constraints. By integrating application processing, on-device AI, camera support, display capabilities, LTE (Long-Term Evolution) connectivity, GPS location services, and security features into a single chip, the Q-2390 simplifies how manufacturers design products. This integration reduces the number of separate components needed, which cuts both cost and complexity.

"AI is creating a fundamental shift in how connected devices are designed and deployed, but many product categories still face barriers around cost, complexity and integration," said Jeff Arnold, Vice President and General Manager of Auto Telematics and Industrial and Embedded IoT Consumer and Connectivity at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Jeff Arnold, VP and GM, Auto Telematics and Industrial and Embedded IoT Consumer and Connectivity, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

What Types of Devices Will Use These New Chips?

The Dragonwing Q-2390 is designed for a wide range of commercial and consumer applications. Manufacturers can use it in retail point-of-sale systems, kiosks, access control devices, smart appliances, smart agriculture equipment, home robots, fitness equipment, and enterprise terminals. Each of these device categories benefits from local AI processing, whether for recognizing objects, understanding user commands, or making real-time decisions.

The Dragonwing IQ-2390 takes a different approach, targeting industrial environments where reliability and long-term support matter more than cutting-edge performance. This processor is built to operate in harsh conditions, with support for temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees Celsius to plus 115 degrees Celsius, and it can withstand vibration and shock. It combines machine vision, AI acceleration, and dual Gigabit Ethernet with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), a technology that ensures data arrives on time in industrial systems.

Industrial applications for the IQ-2390 include human-machine interfaces (HMIs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), industrial gateways, machine vision systems, building automation platforms, and energy management solutions. The processor is designed to help manufacturers reduce the bill of materials, board space, and integration complexity while maintaining the ruggedized performance that factories and outdoor industrial environments demand.

How to Evaluate These Processors for Your Product Development

• Assess Your Integration Needs: Both processors combine multiple functions into a single chip, so evaluate whether your product currently uses separate components for compute, vision, connectivity, and security that could be consolidated.
• Consider Your Operating Environment: If your device operates in consumer or commercial settings, the Q-2390 may be appropriate; if it faces industrial conditions like temperature extremes or vibration, the IQ-2390 is purpose-built for that challenge.
• Review Connectivity Requirements: The Q-2390 includes LTE Cat 4 and GPS, while the IQ-2390 features dual Gigabit Ethernet with TSN, so choose based on whether your device needs mobile connectivity or industrial networking.
• Plan for Long-Term Support: Both processors support Linux, Android, and Zephyr OS, offering flexibility for different development teams and product lifecycles.

Both processors share a common architecture built around a quad-core Qualcomm Kryo CPU, a Qualcomm Adreno 704 GPU, and a real-time RISC-V MCU (microcontroller unit). This combination allows developers to run complex AI models locally while maintaining real-time responsiveness for time-critical tasks. The processors support multiple operating systems, including Linux, Android, and Zephyr OS, giving developers flexibility to build differentiated products across different IoT segments.

Early partners are already building products around these chips. Eight Development, a company specializing in security and building automation, noted that the Q-2390 helps simplify system design while allowing products to scale across different tiers and generations. Fibocom is developing a smart module based on the Q-2390 for payment terminals and industrial handheld devices. SECO is creating two complementary solutions using the IQ-2390, combining hardware with its Clea software framework for lifecycle management. Engicam is developing a system-on-module (SOM) powered by the IQ-2390 to help customers modernize industrial products.

"With an integrated real-time MCU and a place within the broader Dragonwing portfolio, the Q-2390 helps us simplify system design while giving customers a platform that can scale across product tiers and generations," stated Jason Mackie, CEO and Founder of Eight Development Limited.

Jason Mackie, CEO and Founder, Eight Development Limited

Evaluation kits for both platforms are expected to be available in early 2027, and the processors are already being demonstrated at IFA 2026, with customer engagement underway through an early access program. This timeline gives manufacturers several months to evaluate the technology and plan product roadmaps before development kits become widely available.

The introduction of these processors reflects a broader industry trend toward democratizing AI. As on-device AI becomes more affordable and easier to integrate, we can expect to see intelligence spread across a much wider range of everyday products, from smart home devices to industrial equipment. For manufacturers, the key advantage is reduced complexity and cost; for consumers and businesses, it means smarter devices that respond faster and protect privacy by processing data locally rather than sending it to distant servers.