Thrilling updates for enthusiasts of speedy, resilient computers: Qualcomm has introduced new Snapdragon X2 Elite processors at the 2025 Snapdragon Summit held in Maui, Hawaii. The improved Snapdragon X2 Elite along with the all-new Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme are set to enhance the upcoming generation of Windows laptops starting next year.

Why does this matter? Qualcomm caused a stir in mid-2024 with its inaugural Snapdragon X series processors, the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus. These provided new ARM-based options to Intel and AMD’s long-standing x86 solutions, delivering remarkable processing power and efficiency. The Snapdragon X chip, a third option aimed at budget-conscious laptops, was launched in early 2025.

The original X Elite chip powers some of the finest Windows laptops we’ve reviewed, offering all-day battery longevity without sacrificing performance in elegant devices. It even contends with Apple’s M-series chips in their MacBooks, which have historically surpassed Windows laptops.

To provide perspective, Mashable’s best Windows laptop, the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 equipped with an X Elite chip, rivals the speed of the M4 MacBook Air. Moreover, the Surface Laptop 7 achieved nearly 23 hours on a single charge during our battery examination, exceeding the 16-inch M4 Pro-powered MacBook Pro by two hours, which currently leads in battery life among Apple laptops.

Two newer Intel-based Windows laptops surpassed the Surface Laptop 7 in our performance evaluations, but neither lasted beyond 12 hours.

In conclusion, the initial Snapdragon X chips have established a high standard for their upcoming versions, and Qualcomm insists they will fulfill expectations.

“Featuring extraordinary performance, multi-day battery life, and revolutionary AI, these new processors represent the swiftest, most potent, and efficient processors for Windows PCs,” a company press announcement indicates.

As for specifications, Qualcomm states that its X2 Elite series processors will incorporate up to 18 CPU cores, six additional compared to the standard X Elite and up to 10 more than the X Plus. The powerful X2 Elite Extreme, tailored for demanding tasks involving agentic AI, extensive datasets, and multimedia editing, is said to provide “up to 75% quicker CPU performance than competitors at ISO power.”

In comparison to the previous generation X series chips, the X2 Elite Extreme reportedly delivers up to 50 percent faster CPU performance at ISO power, while the X2 Elite could reach up to 31 percent faster. Both new processors will use 43 percent less power than their forerunners, according to Qualcomm.

The X2 Elite series processors will also be equipped with an updated Adreno GPU architecture, offering 2.3 times improved power efficiency compared to the initial chips, along with a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 80 TOPS (trillions of operations per second, a benchmark for AI performance). This is anticipated to result in some of the most advanced Copilot+ PCs ever.

Qualcomm has revealed that laptops featuring the X2 Elite processors are projected to launch in the first half of 2026, so stay tuned if you’re considering an upgrade soon.