2024 was a banner 12 months for Qualcomm at Computex, with the huge launch of its Snapdragon X Elite laptop computer processors placing it on the forefront of the occasion. In truth, Qualcomm’s keynote presentation final 12 months was so spectacular that I declared them the winners of the occasion, with visitor stars from makes of most of the finest laptops together with Microsoft, HP, Dell, and Asus showing alongside Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.
Throughout right now’s keynote at Computex 2025, issues had been slightly extra subdued. No thrilling chip bulletins right here; as a substitute, Amon obtained up on stage and mentioned the (admittedly fairly good) progress Qualcomm has made with the Snapdragon platform over the previous 12 months. A key issue he pointed to was the speedy progress in apps supported on the Snapdragon X Elite platform, together with the now 1,400+ video games which might be playable on Snapdragon laptops.
Very similar to final 12 months, Amon showcased Qualcomm’s spectacular pull within the Home windows computing market regardless of solely getting into the CPU combat with Intel and AMD final 12 months. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made a quick look within the presentation, together with executives from Asus and HP.
There have been additionally some cheeky jabs at Intel and Apple (the latter concerning the truth that Fortnite is absolutely playable on Snapdragon {hardware}), plus the standard slew of company drivel about how AI is revolutionizing… one thing. Truthfully, I type of tuned out for a bit there, till Amon fired up a laptop computer reside on stage which proceeded to ask him (presumably human-curated) questions on Qualcomm’s AI {hardware} in a synthy robotic voice. Fairly cool, I assume, however what actually caught my consideration was a teaser on the very finish of the keynote presentation.
What’s subsequent for Snapdragon
So, whereas we obtained no new chips from Qualcomm at Computex, it seems like we now have a tacitly introduced date for the subsequent technology of Snapdragon X systems-on-a-chip (SoCs). It’s September 23: the date of Qualcomm’s personal occasion, Snapdragon Summit, which can happen in Hawaii.
What precisely are we getting in September? Amon wouldn’t say, solely that “the revolution continues” and “I promise you that you may be impressed”. Nonetheless, there are some fairly cheap assumptions that I’m prepared to make right here.
Whereas naming conventions are nonetheless a bit up within the air (since we’re solely a single technology into Qualcomm’s Home windows laptop computer chips), the present widespread assumption is that the next-gen SoCs will use the ‘Snapdragon X2’ moniker, so I’ll simply go along with that right here. I count on the preliminary launch to function each X2 Elite and X2 Plus chips for the premium and midrange laptop computer markets, with broad integration throughout nearly all of productiveness laptop computer producers; Dell’s XPS collection, Asus’s Zenbooks, Lenovo’s Yoga line, the works.
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A ‘primary’ Snapdragon X2 chip will probably comply with a bit additional down the road (just like how the Snapdragon X chip was introduced at CES in January this 12 months), offering a extra budget-conscious different. However I’m most eager about the rumored 2nd-gen Snapdragon X Elite chip for desktops…
A desktop revolution?
Will we get a non-integrated Snapdragon X2 Elite? I wouldn’t fairly wager on that; thus far, we’ve solely seen Snapdragon chips in compact PCs from the likes of Lenovo. So don’t count on to see a 3rd possibility past Intel and AMD in the case of motherboards for DIY PCs – however do count on extra mini PCs and techniques just like the finest all-in-one computer systems.
Whereas ‘Group Q’ (nonetheless workshopping that identify, I’m open to strategies!) is perhaps a relative newcomer to this explicit business enviornment, it’s made a critical affect. Cristiano Amon’s keynote included a considerably stunning statistic: as of final quarter, Qualcomm now holds about 9% of the built-in processor marketplace for the US and the highest 5 European markets. Contemplating the fierce competitors, it’s a severely spectacular exhibiting.
Given how a lot Qualcomm modified the sport with the arrival of its first X Elite chips final 12 months, I feel the usage of the phrase ‘revolution’ would possibly truly be considerably justified right here. I don’t say that flippantly; it’s a phrase that I’m continuously aggravated to see used to explain extraordinarily marginal modifications. However with Qualcomm lastly making Home windows on Arm work with the Snapdragon X collection, I’ve obtained excessive hopes for no matter Group Q does subsequent.
