The Snapdragon X processors from Qualcomm have ushered in a new generation of Windows laptops that boast near-week-long battery life, an example of an upgrade for the better relative to standard laptop chips. But their prices often prevented them from being used by a lot of users. This could soon change as rumors suggest the development of a cheaper Snapdragon X chip.
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Qualcomm Teases More Affordable Snapdragon X Chip for Budget Windows Laptops
The Snapdragon X line was initially launched under the “Elite” chip, a premium processor pitched to go against Apple’s M-series in high-end laptops (those over $1,200) which made it largely irrelevant to most casual consumers. This was later followed by the “Plus” variant from Qualcomm, which has now seen laptops go for as low as $1,000. In September, the company launched an even more budget-friendly version of the Snapdragon X Plus, seen in devices like the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1, priced at $849.
Qualcomm also appears ready to launch a dirt-cheap Snapdragon X of its own. In a recent Investor Day presentation, the company also hinted at an entry-level Snapdragon X processor for Windows laptops starting below $700. This shift is, in order to have more people use Snapdragon X technology. Specifics on how this chip performs are still scant, though Qualcomm has said that it will utilize the same Neural Processing Unit (NPU) as higher-end models.
The NPU drives the fantastic battery life and AI features these processors offer, which means laptops featuring this chip will likely bear the Copilot+ PC logo. Branding will need at least 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 256GB of SSD storage; that’ll likely come as standard even on more affordable models.
However, to achieve a lower price, there may be some compromises, such as fewer CPU cores or reduced graphical performance. An official release date has yet to be given, but with CES 2025 right around the corner in January, we will likely get some word on the new chip at that event.
FAQs
When will Qualcomm’s affordable Snapdragon X chip release?
The release date is unclear, but it may debut at CES 2025.
What makes the Snapdragon X chip unique?
It offers long battery life and AI features, even in budget models.
