At CES 2026, Qualcomm officially unveiled its next-generation PC platform: the Snapdragon X2 series. Building on the momentum of the original X Elite, this new lineup represents a significant leap in ARM-based computing for Windows, targeting everything from ultra-premium “Elite Extreme” workstations to mainstream “Plus” laptops.
The release marks a turning point for Windows on ARM, with Qualcomm claiming leadership in performance-per-watt and on-device AI capabilities over current x86 rivals from Intel and AMD.
Snapdragon X2 Series: Elite Extreme, Elite, and Plus Compared
Qualcomm has expanded the family into three distinct tiers to cover the entire premium and mid-range laptop market. All chips in the series are built on a cutting-edge 3nm process node, enhancing both density and thermal efficiency.
| Feature | Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme | Snapdragon X2 Elite | Snapdragon X2 Plus |
| CPU Cores | 18 Cores (12 Prime / 6 Perf) | 18 or 12 Cores | 10 or 6 Cores |
| Max Clock Speed | Up to 5.0 GHz | Up to 4.7 GHz | Up to 4.0 GHz |
| NPU (AI) | 80 TOPS | 80 TOPS | 80 TOPS |
| Memory Bandwidth | 228 GB/s | 152 GB/s | 152 GB/s |
| Process | 3nm | 3nm | 3nm |
Snapdragon X2 CPU: 3rd-Gen Oryon Architecture
In centre of the Snapdragon X2 is the 3rd Generation Qualcomm Oryon CPU. For the first time in an ARM-based Windows processor, clock speeds have reached the 5.0 GHz milestone on the Elite Extreme SKU.
Qualcomm reports that the new architecture delivers up to 35% faster single-core performance compared to the previous generation. In multi-threaded workloads, the 18-core Elite Extreme is claimed to be 75% faster than competing chips like the Ryzen AI 9 at the same power envelope, or reaching the same performance levels while using significantly less energy.
AI Hardware and Workloads on Snapdragon X2
In a strategic move to dominate the “AI PC” category, Qualcomm has integrated its most powerful Hexagon NPU—delivering 80 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second)—into every single X2 chip, including the entry-level 6-core Plus model.
This is a massive jump from the 45 TOPS found in the first generation. This unified AI power is designed to handle:
Agentic AI: Autonomous digital assistants that can navigate apps and manage workflows.
Live Translation & Generative Media: Real-time 4K video effects and on-device LLM (Large Language Model) processing.
Security: Enhanced threat detection via the Snapdragon Guardian suite.
Adreno X2 GPU and Snapdragon Control Panel Explained
In a strategic move to dominate the “AI PC” category, Qualcomm has integrated its most powerful Hexagon NPU—delivering 80 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second)—into every single X2 chip, including the entry-level 6-core Plus model.
This is a massive jump from the 45 TOPS found in the first generation. This unified AI power is designed to handle:
Agentic AI: Autonomous digital assistants that can navigate apps and manage workflows.
Live Translation & Generative Media: Real-time 4K video effects and on-device LLM (Large Language Model) processing.
Security: Enhanced threat detection via the Snapdragon Guardian suite.
Launch Timeline, OEM Support, and Pricing Expectations
The transition to a 3nm process has allowed Qualcomm to claim 43% lower power consumption than the previous generation during standard office tasks. This translates to “multi-day” battery life, with reference designs reportedly lasting over 22 hours in continuous web-surfing tests. Critically, the X2 maintains its full performance profile even when running on battery, avoiding the throttling often seen in traditional x86 laptops.
The first laptops featuring the Snapdragon X2 series are expected to ship in the first half of 2026. Major manufacturers, including Lenovo (with an updated Yoga Slim 7x), HP, and Dell, have already showcased designs utilizing the new silicon. Prices are expected to start around $799 for X2 Plus configurations, with Elite Extreme models targeting the $1,299+ professional segment.
