qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite

Qualcomm has just set a new benchmark for mobile computing with the announcement of its Snapdragon X2 Elite platform for PCs. Unveiled here in Maui, Hawaii (Editor's Note: Qualcomm flew us here for free with accommodations), the X2 Elite series boasts up to 18 cores using the third-gen Oryon CPU architecture, and a multi-core speed of up to 5.0 GHz boost frequencies, making it one of the fastest ARM-based chips for Windows PCs in 2025. The Snapdragon X2 Elite comes in three (3) configurations, with the top-end Extreme X2E-96-100 featuring 18 total cores, 12 prime cores running up to 4.4 GHz, and six performance cores at 3.6 GHz. Specifically designed for AI PCs, the X2 Elite is packed with the latest Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, capable of up to 80 TOPS of AI processing — rivaling even desktop-class accelerators. Despite its raw power, Qualcomm claims the X2 Elite can deliver true multi-day battery on a single charge, supported by hardware-based workload optimization across CPU, GPU, and NPU. The platform includes advanced security backed by Qualcomm SPU supporting Microsoft Pluton, plus Snapdragon Guardian tech for remote manageability and automatic biometric authentication. With the X2 Elite platform, Qualcomm is posing a serious challenge to x86 of Intel/AMD and Apple’s M-series. Read more in our articles including "Qualcomm announces Snapdragon X2 Elite, 18-core SoC for PC" and "Arm Cancels Qualcomm’s Chip Design License Amid Growing Dispute".