Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme Chipset, Potentially Rivaling M4 MacBooks
At its recent Summit 2025 event, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X2 Elite and Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme laptop chipsets, which promise significant performance gains over Apple's M4. The new platform, set to arrive in future Windows PCs, boasts a third-generation 18-core Oryon processor, revamped Adreno GPU, and an 80 TOPS Hexagon Neural Processing Unit (NPU).
According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme will deliver major improvements in performance, energy efficiency, and AI capabilities. "We've seen significant advancements in our second generation of laptop chipsets," said a Qualcomm spokesperson. "Our goal is to provide users with devices that can last all day long while delivering exceptional performance."
The new chipset's 18-core Oryon processor is expected to offer improved multi-threading capabilities, allowing for smoother multitasking and faster execution of demanding tasks. The revamped Adreno GPU will also enhance graphics rendering, making it suitable for gaming and content creation.
Qualcomm has been a key player in the laptop industry since launching its first generation of Snapdragon hardware in 2024. The company's focus on balancing performance with energy efficiency has resonated with users seeking devices that can last throughout the day without needing to be recharged.
Industry experts believe that the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chipset could potentially rival Apple's M4 MacBooks, which have been a benchmark for high-performance laptops. "Qualcomm's advancements in AI capabilities and energy efficiency are significant," said an analyst at a leading tech research firm. "If they can deliver on their promises, it will be interesting to see how the market responds."
The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chipset is expected to arrive in future Windows PCs later this year. Qualcomm has not announced specific release dates or pricing for its new platform.
As the technology landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chipset can live up to its promises and challenge Apple's dominance in the high-performance laptop market. One thing is certain: with Qualcomm's latest advancements, users can expect more powerful, efficient, and capable devices in the future.
Background
Qualcomm has been a leader in mobile chipsets for years, but its entry into the laptop industry has been gaining momentum since 2024. The company's focus on energy efficiency and performance has resonated with users seeking devices that can last all day long without needing to be recharged.
Additional Perspectives
Industry experts believe that the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chipset could potentially rival Apple's M4 MacBooks, which have been a benchmark for high-performance laptops. "Qualcomm's advancements in AI capabilities and energy efficiency are significant," said an analyst at a leading tech research firm. "If they can deliver on their promises, it will be interesting to see how the market responds."
Current Status
The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chipset is expected to arrive in future Windows PCs later this year. Qualcomm has not announced specific release dates or pricing for its new platform.
Next Developments
As the technology landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chipset can live up to its promises and challenge Apple's dominance in the high-performance laptop market. One thing is certain: with Qualcomm's latest advancements, users can expect more powerful, efficient, and capable devices in the future.
*Reporting by Zdnet.*