Qualcomm has expanded its Snapdragon X Series lineup with two new chipsets aimed at next-generation Windows 11 PCs: the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and the Snapdragon X2 Elite. Both processors are designed for thin-and-light laptops while promising significant improvements in performance, battery efficiency, and on-device AI acceleration.
The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme targets high-end, professional workloads. It uses Qualcomm’s third-generation Oryon CPU, which the company claims delivers up to 75 percent faster performance than rival CPUs at similar power levels. The accompanying Adreno GPU offers a reported 2.3x performance-per-watt boost over the previous generation, while the integrated Hexagon NPU pushes 80 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Qualcomm says this makes it the most powerful laptop-class neural processor available, enabling advanced AI-driven workflows such as data analysis, media production, and multitasking across Copilot+ PCs.
The Snapdragon X2 Elite is positioned slightly below the Extreme but still aimed at premium-tier laptops. Qualcomm says it provides up to 31 percent faster performance at equal power compared to its predecessor, while using 43 percent less power overall. Like the Extreme model, it includes the same 80 TOPS NPU for AI acceleration, intended to balance heavy workloads with efficiency for longer use without frequent charging.
Battery life remains a central focus for both platforms. Qualcomm emphasizes “multi-day” endurance by combining CPU, GPU, and NPU efficiency, a strategy it has leaned on heavily as it tries to gain ground in the Windows PC market.
Kedar Kondap, Qualcomm’s senior vice president and general manager of compute and gaming, said the launch reflects the company’s broader ambition to become a stronger player in personal computing. “Snapdragon X2 Elite strengthens our leadership in the PC industry, providing leaps in performance, AI processing, and battery life to enable the experiences that consumers deserve,” he noted.
The first laptops powered by Snapdragon X2 Elite are expected in the first half of 2026. With Apple, Intel, and AMD all pushing performance and AI integration in their respective platforms, Qualcomm’s new chips represent its clearest attempt yet to position Snapdragon PCs as a viable alternative in both performance and efficiency.
