Qualcomm has officially unveiled its next-generation PC processors, the Snapdragon X2 Elite and Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. These new chipsets are built on TSMC’s advanced 3nm process and are designed to power the next wave of Windows on Arm machines. With a strong emphasis on performance, efficiency, and AI processing, Qualcomm aims to position these chips as serious contenders in the premium laptop market.
Powerful Configurations for Different Needs
The Snapdragon X2 Elite series comes in three variants. The X2 Elite (X2E-80-100) features a 12-core CPU, while the X2 Elite (X2E-88-100) and the X2 Elite Extreme (X2E-96-100) both offer an 18-core CPU design. The Extreme variant takes things further with prime cores clocked at up to 4.4GHz, boosting to 5.0GHz, while performance cores reach up to 3.6GHz.
Qualcomm claims the Extreme edition is meant for ultra-premium Windows 11 PCs designed to handle expert-level workloads such as professional editing, simulation, and advanced development. The standard X2 Elite variants are positioned for premium devices that tackle heavy multitasking and resource-intensive everyday computing.
Big Jumps in Performance and Efficiency
Qualcomm is promising significant gains over its first-generation X Elite chips. The company highlights a 31 percent improvement in CPU performance at the same power levels and up to 43 percent lower power consumption compared to the previous models. These improvements pave the way for what Qualcomm describes as “multi-day battery life,” making laptops far more reliable for on-the-go users.
The GPU inside the new chips has also been upgraded. Qualcomm’s Adreno X2 GPU is said to deliver 2.3 times better performance per watt, with support for DirectX 12.2 Ultimate, Vulkan 1.4, and OpenCL 3.0. This positions the new platform not only for productivity but also for high-quality visuals and light gaming.
AI Powerhouse Inside
One of the biggest highlights is the inclusion of Qualcomm’s latest Hexagon NPU, capable of 80 TOPS of AI processing power. The company calls it the world’s fastest NPU for laptops, enabling on-device AI functions like advanced generative AI applications, productivity enhancements, and smarter workflows without relying entirely on cloud processing.
Future of Windows on Arm
The Snapdragon X2 Elite chips support LPDDR5X RAM, UFS 4.0 storage, and feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Guardian technology for enterprise-level security and remote management. Qualcomm says the first laptops powered by these new processors will debut in Spring 2026, with major PC manufacturers expected to adopt the platform for both consumer and enterprise devices.
With these launches, Qualcomm is signaling its intent to become a central player in the PC market, directly competing with Intel and AMD by offering power-efficient yet high-performing silicon tailored for the new era of AI-driven computing.
Follow Tech Moves on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates on AI, gadgets, and next-gen tech shaping the future of computing.
