Qualcomm introduced its Snapdragon X2 Plus processors at CES 2026, intended for laptops with expected availability by the end of March 2026. These new chips are positioned as variants of the previously announced Snapdragon X2 Elite series, both utilizing a 3-nanometer manufacturing process and featuring an 80 TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU).
Introduction
At CES 2026, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X2 Plus series of processors, designed for integration into laptops. These processors are anticipated to appear in devices by the end of March 2026. The X2 Plus series builds upon the Snapdragon X2 Elite processors, which Qualcomm initially unveiled in September 2025 and expects to be released by June 2026. The X2 Elite processors are slated for integration into forthcoming Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs.
Manufacturing Process and Architecture
Both the Snapdragon X2 Plus and X2 Elite series are fabricated using a 3-nanometer (nm) process node. This represents a reduction from the 4nm process employed by the preceding Snapdragon X generation. For comparison within the industry, Apple's M3 series and AMD's Ryzen AI Max processors also utilize a 3nm process, while Intel's upcoming Panther Lake generation is projected to use its 2nm 18A process. Smaller process nodes generally enable higher transistor density and shorter signal paths, which can contribute to increased clock speeds; however, this can also entail a greater risk of heat generation.
The processors feature a third-generation Qualcomm Oryon CPU. The Snapdragon X2 Plus is available in six-core or ten-core configurations, while the Snapdragon X2 Elite offers 12 or 18 core configurations.
Performance Claims
Qualcomm states that the Snapdragon X2 Plus processors offer performance enhancements compared to their predecessor:
- CPU single-core performance: up to 35% faster.
- Six-core Snapdragon X2 Plus multi-core performance: up to 10% faster.
- Ten-core Snapdragon X2 Plus multi-core performance: up to 17% faster.
- Integrated Adreno GPU performance: up to 29% enhancement.
Qualcomm also states that the new processors will offer improved graphics, "multiday" battery life, and overall performance enhancements.
Key Specifications for Snapdragon X2 Series Processors
- Snapdragon X2 Plus 6-core (X2P-42-100)
- CPU Cores: 6
- Max Frequency: 4.0 GHz (multi/single)
- Cache: 22 MB
- GPU: X2-45 (0.90 GHz)
- Memory Bus: 128-bit
- Snapdragon X2 Plus 10-core (X2P-64-100)
- CPU Cores: 10 (6 Prime/4 Performance)
- Max Frequency: 4.0 GHz (multi/single), 3.4 GHz (Performance)
- Cache: 34 MB
- GPU: X2-45 (1.70 GHz)
- Memory Bus: 128-bit
- Snapdragon X2 Elite (X2E-80-100)
- CPU Cores: 12 (6 Prime/6 Performance)
- Max Frequency: 4.0 GHz (multi), 4.7 GHz (single), 3.4 GHz (Performance)
- Cache: 34 MB
- GPU: X2-85 (1.70 GHz)
- Memory Bus: 128-bit
- Snapdragon X2 Elite (X2E-88-100)
- CPU Cores: 24 (18 Prime/6 Performance)
- Max Frequency: 4.0 GHz (multi), 4.7 GHz (dual), 3.4 GHz (Performance)
- Cache: 53 MB
- GPU: X2-90 (1.70 GHz)
- Memory Bus: 128-bit
- Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme (X2E-96-100)
- CPU Cores: 24 (18 Prime/6 Performance)
- Max Frequency: 4.4 GHz (multi), 5.0 GHz (dual), 3.6 GHz (Performance)
- Cache: 53 MB
- GPU: X2-90 (1.85 GHz)
- Memory Bus: 192-bit
Artificial Intelligence Acceleration
The X2 Plus chips integrate an 80 TOPS (Trillions Operations Per Second) Neural Processing Unit (NPU), similar to the X2 Elite series. This NPU, identified as an integrated Hexagon NPU, supports the FP8 data type and represents an increase from 45 TOPS in the previous generation of Snapdragon X chips.
Qualcomm claims its PC chip NPU is rated as the fastest in the industry. In context, the Apple M5's NPU has an estimated rating of 133 TOPS. Qualcomm does not provide platform TOPS figures, a metric that Intel and AMD offer.
Broader CES Focus
Beyond processor developments, Qualcomm's presentations at CES 2026 also featured advancements in robotics.