Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Plus chips, aiming to challenge Intel and AMD with claims of superior performance and efficiency for Windows PCs. The X2 Elite targets high-end laptops, while the X2 Plus is designed for budget machines, both expected to hit the market by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Despite fewer CPU cores, the Plus chips promise competitive performance against low-power Intel chips, and both chipsets boast impressive AI capabilities with an 80 TOPS NPU. While gaming performance might not be groundbreaking, Qualcomm is enhancing graphics driver support, and both chips offer significant power efficiency improvements, potentially leading to multi-day battery life. This development matters as it could shift the competitive landscape in the laptop market, offering consumers more choices and potentially driving innovation and cost-effectiveness.
