Qualcomm is officially entering the desktop CPU arena with its Snapdragon X2 Elite lineup, set to launch in early 2026. These chips are built on the third-gen Oryon architecture, and early benchmarks suggest they’re not just catching up—they’re gunning for Apple’s M4 Pro and AMD’s Zen 5 in both performance and efficiency.
Snapdragon X2 Elite Specs (Extreme Model)
- CPU Cores: 18 (custom Oryon cores)
- GPU: Adreno X2 (up to 2.3× faster than previous gen)
- NPU: Hexagon AI Engine with 80 TOPS
- Process Node: TSMC 4nm
- Target Platform: Windows Copilot+ PCs and ARM-based desktops
Benchmark Highlights
| Test | Snapdragon X2 Elite | Snapdragon X Elite | Apple M4 Pro | AMD Ryzen 9950X |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 SC | 3,887 | 2,797 | 3,910 | ~3,800 |
| Geekbench 6 MC | 21,952 | 14,635 | 22,822 | ~20,500 |
| AI Inference | 80 TOPS | 45 TOPS | ~38 TOPS | ~30 TOPS |
These numbers suggest the X2 Elite Extreme model is nearly on par with Apple’s M4 Pro and ahead of AMD’s top desktop chip in AI workloads.
What Makes It Different?
- All-Day Efficiency: Snapdragon’s ARM architecture delivers multi-day battery life in laptops, and now aims to bring that same efficiency to desktops.
- AI-First Design: With 80 TOPS of NPU power, it’s built for Copilot+, generative AI, and real-time inference.
- Integrated GPU: No need for discrete graphics in many use cases—Adreno X2 handles 1440p gaming and creative workloads.
- Windows on ARM Optimization: Microsoft is doubling down on ARM-native apps and emulation, making Snapdragon a serious contender in the productivity space.
Competitive Outlook
Snapdragon X2 Elite is expected to challenge:
- Apple M4 Pro in creative and AI workflows
- Intel Core Ultra 9 in hybrid performance
- AMD Ryzen 9950X3D in gaming and multitasking
While Qualcomm hasn’t confirmed desktop SKUs beyond Copilot+ laptops, insiders expect fan-cooled mini PCs and workstation variants by mid-2026.