Qualcomm just announced the Snapdragon X2 Plus, their latest PC platform for Windows laptops. They say it runs faster and uses less power than their older chips, plus it packs better AI processing and works with Microsoft’s Copilot+ features. The X2 Plus joins the Snapdragon X Series—all built for slim, lightweight Windows 11 laptops. Big-name brands are already working on devices with this new chip, and you’ll start seeing them in stores in the first half of 2026.
Qualcomm says the X2 Plus is built for modern professionals, innovators, and everyday people who want longer battery life and faster performance. The startup points to users who spend their days crunching data, working on creative projects, or jumping from one video call to the next.
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Overview on Snapdragon X2 Plus
Performance claims:
Qualcomm’s third-generation Oryon CPU powers the new Snapdragon X2 Plus, and Qualcomm says it uses 43% less power while delivering up to 35% faster single-core performance than its last version.
They haven’t shared all the nitty-gritty yet—no word on core counts, clock speeds, or how it’s made. Instead, Qualcomm’s putting the spotlight on how much better this chip is for battery life and speed compared to the previous Snapdragon X.
The chip’s built for ultra-portable laptops running Windows 11 Copilot+. Qualcomm claims you’ll see “lightning-fast performance and fluid multitasking,” whether you’re working, designing, or just keeping in touch. They’re basically promising a smoother, more powerful experience all around.
AI processing:
Qualcomm built an 80 TOPS (trillion operations per second) Hexagon neural processing unit right into the X2 Plus. They say this chip is made for next-gen AI stuff—think smarter digital assistants and on-device AI that doesn’t have to run everything through the cloud.
Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs lean on this kind of local AI muscle for things like digging up info, creating images, or letting AI assistants actually work on your device, not just online. Qualcomm says the X2 Plus means more Snapdragon X systems can run Copilot+.
They haven’t shared exactly which Copilot+ features work on the new platform yet. But they’re promising smoother multitasking and a bunch of other AI-powered perks.
Connectivity and security:
Qualcomm says the Snapdragon X2 Plus platform comes with Wi-Fi 7, and if you want 5G, that’s available too—it just depends on the modem in your device.
When it comes to security, Qualcomm uses the Snapdragon Guardian brand. They talk a big game about advanced protection, but they’re keeping the details about what’s actually under the hood pretty vague.
The focus here is pretty clear: This stuff is built for people who need solid, dependable connectivity on the go. If you want to get work done wherever you are, this is aimed at you. Pushing optional 5G just keeps Qualcomm’s whole “always-connected PC” idea moving forward.
Battery life focus:
Qualcomm says its third-generation Oryon CPU is so power-efficient that laptops can now last for days on a single charge. They didn’t share exact battery numbers or how they tested it, but that’s the promise.
Battery life really matters these days if you’re shopping for a Windows laptop. Qualcomm’s not alone here—AMD and Intel, with their x86 chips, are still big players, and now more companies are jumping into the Arm-based CPU game too.
If you want a Windows 11 Copilot+ laptop, it needs to hit certain minimum AI performance standards. On top of that, everyone’s pushing for lighter devices, cooler temperatures, and longer-lasting batteries. Qualcomm’s putting the X2 Plus front and center, claiming it moves the needle on all three.
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