The competitive landscape for Windows laptop processors is heating up dramatically. At CES 2026, Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon X2 Plus, a new chipset designed to bring its advanced ARM-based architecture to a broader range of mainstream and mid-range laptops. This move completes the company's product stack for the year, positioning it for a head-on collision with established x86 rivals from Intel and AMD in what promises to be one of the most contested years for mobile computing.
Qualcomm Expands Its Laptop Ambitions with the X2 Plus
Following the debut of its flagship Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme processors in late 2025, Qualcomm is now addressing the crucial mainstream market. The Snapdragon X2 Plus is engineered to deliver a significant portion of the Elite series' capabilities—particularly in AI acceleration and power efficiency—at a more accessible price point. This strategic expansion allows Qualcomm to offer OEMs a complete portfolio, from premium ultraportables to high-performance, value-oriented machines, all unified under the Snapdragon X2 branding and the promise of multi-day battery life.
Technical Specifications and Architectural Foundation
The X2 Plus arrives in two primary configurations: a 6-core variant (X2P-42-100) and a more powerful 10-core model (X2P-64-100). Both are built on Qualcomm's third-generation Oryon CPU architecture. The 10-core chip employs a hybrid design with six high-performance "Prime" cores and four efficiency-focused "Performance" cores, while the 6-core version utilizes only Prime cores, with clock speeds reaching just over 4GHz. They are paired with the new Adreno X2-45 integrated GPU, which supports modern graphics APIs like DirectX 12.2 Ultimate, and a Hexagon Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 80 TOPS for on-device AI tasks. The platform supports up to 128GB of LPDDR5x memory and features like Wi-Fi 7 and multiple 4K display outputs.
Snapdragon X2 Plus Model Specifications
| Feature | Snapdragon X2 Plus (6-core) | Snapdragon X2 Plus (10-core) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores | 6x Prime Cores | 6x Prime + 4x Performance Cores |
| CPU Architecture | 3rd Gen Oryon | 3rd Gen Oryon |
| Max Clock Speed | ~4 GHz+ | ~4 GHz+ |
| GPU | Adreno X2-45 | Adreno X2-45 |
| NPU (AI Performance) | Hexagon NPU (80 TOPS) | Hexagon NPU (80 TOPS) |
| Max Memory Support | Up to 128GB LPDDR5x | Up to 128GB LPDDR5x |
| Graphics API Support | DirectX 12.2 Ultimate, Vulkan 1.4 | DirectX 12.2 Ultimate, Vulkan 1.4 |
Performance Claims: A Generational Leap
Qualcomm has shared compelling benchmark data to showcase the X2 Plus's improvements. According to the company, the 10-core model achieves a 35% increase in single-core performance and a 17% boost in multi-core performance on Geekbench 6 compared to the first-generation Snapdragon X Plus. In a live CES demo, it scored 3323 (single-core) and 15084 (multi-core), reportedly outperforming both Intel's Core Ultra 7 256V and AMD's Ryzen AI 7 350. Graphics performance sees a notable uplift as well, with the 10-core chip showing a 29% improvement in 3DMark Steel Nomad Light, and the 6-core variant jumping an impressive 39%.
Reported Performance Uplift vs. Previous Gen (Snapdragon X Plus)
- 10-core Model:
- CPU: +35% single-core, +17% multi-core (Geekbench 6)
- GPU: +29% (3DMark Steel Nomad Light)
- Efficiency: +43% power efficiency
- 6-core Model:
- CPU: +35% single-core, +10% multi-core (Geekbench 6)
- GPU: +39% (3DMark Steel Nomad Light)
The Efficiency Argument: Qualcomm's Core Advantage
Perhaps the most significant claim from Qualcomm revolves around power efficiency, a traditional strength of ARM-based designs. The company states the X2 Plus offers a 43% improvement in power efficiency over its predecessor. In a direct comparison with an x86 competitor, Qualcomm asserts that at the same power level, the 10-core X2 Plus is roughly 3.5 times faster than an Intel Core Ultra 7 265U in Geekbench 6.5. Furthermore, they claim Intel's chip requires up to 4.6 times more power to match the X2 Plus's peak performance. These figures underscore Qualcomm's strategy to win over consumers and manufacturers with the promise of high performance without sacrificing battery life.
Key Competitive Claims (Qualcomm Data)
- Outperformed Intel Core Ultra 7 256V and AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 in a CES live demo (Geekbench 6: 3323 single-core / 15084 multi-core).
- At iso-power, the 10-core X2 Plus is ~3.5x faster than Intel Core Ultra 7 265U in Geekbench 6.5.
- Intel's chip needs up to 4.6x more power to match the X2 Plus's peak performance.
Market Timing and the Coming Battle for Windows Laptops
The launch of the X2 Plus sets the stage for an intense competitive year. Qualcomm stated that laptops featuring both the X2 Elite and X2 Plus chips are expected to hit the market around the end of the first quarter of 2026, with major partners like Lenovo, HP, and ASUS announcing products at CES. This timing aligns with Qualcomm's plan to establish a full product stack before Intel launches its next-generation Panther Lake processors and AMD unveils its updated Ryzen AI lineup. Industry observers predict 2026 could be the most competitive year for Windows laptops in a decade, with performance, AI capabilities, and battery life all being key battlegrounds.
Looking Ahead: A Complete Portfolio and Future Roadmap
With the X2 Plus, Qualcomm has effectively built a three-tier Snapdragon X2 family for laptops: the extreme X2 Elite Extreme at the top, the high-performance X2 Elite in the middle, and the mainstream X2 Plus. Rumors suggest an even more entry-level "Snapdragon X2" variant could be unveiled later in the year, possibly at Computex in the summer, to address the budget segment. This comprehensive approach indicates Qualcomm's long-term commitment to challenging the x86 duopoly in the PC space, not just in niche categories but across the entire spectrum of the Windows laptop market.