Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X2 Plus processor during CES 2026, at Las Vegas, at Estados Unidos. The new chip aims to equip more affordable laptops with high performance and advanced artificial intelligence capabilities. The first devices with this technology should hit the market in the first half of 2026.
The launch complements the Snapdragon X2 line, which includes the models Elite and Elite Extreme presented previously. Fabricantes like Lenovo, HP and ASUS plan to incorporate the X2 Plus into a variety of notebooks, including ultrathin and convertibles. The company highlights energy efficiency as one of its main differentiators.
The Snapdragon X2 Plus uses a 3 nm manufacturing process and third generation Oryon CPU. Ele offers up to 35% more single-core performance compared to the previous generation.
Technical specifications of the new processor
The Snapdragon X2 Plus is available in 6-core and 10-core variants. Ambas have NPU Hexagon capable of 80 TOPS for AI tasks.
- Up to 10 Oryon cores, with clocks of up to 4 GHz on the main cores.
- Improved Adreno GPU, with gains of up to 39% in graphics performance.
- Support up to 128 GB of LPDDR5x memory and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity.
- Option for integrated 5G on some models.
These components allow for multi-day battery life under typical use. Energy efficiency achieves a reduction of up to 43% in consumption compared to the previous series.
The chip maintains compatibility with Windows on Arm and Copilot+ features. Ele supports native application execution and efficient emulation.
Comparison with line Elite
The X2 Elite series focuses on premium performance, with up to 18 cores and greater graphics power. Já o X2 Plus prioritizes balance between cost and capacity for the intermediate segment.
The Elite models reach high-value laptops, while the Plus targets ranges starting at values similar to the previous generation, such as US$800. Fabricantes will announce specific prices in the coming months.
Both lines share 80 TOPS NPU, enabling advanced local AI tasks. Isso includes multimodal content generation and autonomous agents.
Main performance improvements
Initial tests show significant gains in CPU and GPU benchmarks. The X2 Plus outperforms competitors’ low-power chips in efficiency.
- 35% increase in single-core performance.
- Up to 78% improvement in NPU capacity.
- Support over 1,400 compatible games.
Qualcomm periodically updates graphics drivers to optimize games. Recursos as DX12 Ultimate and Vulkan 1.4 are present.
Availability on notebooks
The first laptops with Snapdragon X2 Plus are expected to be revealed during CES 2026.
Other brands prepare fanless ultrathins and convertibles. Arrival on the market occurs at the end of the first quarter or beginning of the second.
The complete X2 line, including Elite, reinforces the presence of Qualcomm in the Windows ecosystem. Ela competes directly with Intel and AMD processors in efficiency and AI.
Advances in energy efficiency
The third generation Oryon architecture reduces consumption without losing performance. Notebooks with X2 Plus operate for multiple days at light loads.
This benefits mobile users who prioritize portability. Designs Thin and light gain from optimized thermal dissipation.
Qualcomm emphasizes that the chip scales between 12 and 35 watts. Isso allows for varied configurations without compromising autonomy.
Artificial intelligence capabilities
The 80 TOPS NPU positions the X2 Plus as the leader in on-device AI processing. Ele performs multiple tasks simultaneously without depending on the cloud.
Applications include image editing, real-time transcription and personal assistants. Recursos Copilot+ of Windows exploit this ability.
The company highlights privacy and speed in local processing. Atualizações future expands support for AI models.
Presence of manufacturers at CES
Several brands display prototypes and final models with the X2 series during the event. Anúncios from HP and ASUS complement those of Lenovo.
The fair in Las Vegas serves as a showcase for the new generation of Copilot+ PCs. Consumidores expect diverse options in sizes and formats.
The focus on accessibility makes the X2 Plus relevant to the mainstream market. Ele expands adoption of Arm into Windows.
