Qualcomm Unveils Next-Gen Snapdragon X2 Elite and Extreme Chips for Windows PCs, Targeting 2026 Launch

Qualcomm has officially announced its second generation of Snapdragon X series processors for Windows PCs: the Snapdragon X2 Elite and Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. These new chips are set to build on the success of the original Snapdragon X Elite, which pushed Arm-based Windows laptops into the mainstream.

The company is making bold claims about the X2 series, asserting they are the “fastest and most efficient processors for Windows PCs.” Key improvements include up to 31 percent faster CPU performance at the same power, or a 43 percent reduction in power consumption compared to the previous generation. The new 1.85GHz GPU boasts up to 2.3x the performance per watt. Powered by a 3rd-gen Oryon CPU, the X2 Elite Extreme features up to 18 cores, with some reaching an unprecedented 5GHz clock speed for Arm CPUs.

Further enhancements include an 80 TOPS Hexagon NPU for AI tasks, offering 37 percent more performance and 16 percent better power efficiency. Qualcomm labels this a “legendary leap,” particularly noting the Elite Extreme’s potential for up to 75 percent faster CPU performance than competitors at equivalent power levels. These advancements are expected to translate into “multi-day battery life” and significant boosts for applications like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, with Razer also committing to bringing its Synapse software to Windows on Snapdragon.

While the announcement highlights impressive technical specifications, consumers will need to wait a bit longer to get their hands on devices featuring these chips. Qualcomm states that laptops powered by the Snapdragon X2 Elite and Extreme are “expected to be available 1H26.”

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