Despite Qualcomm’s bold claims, the new Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme isn’t the fastest laptop SoC on the market. Apple’s M4 Max continues to dominate in both single-core and multi-core performance, according to early Cinebench 2024 benchmarks.
Table of Contents
Performance Showdown: X2 Elite Extreme vs M4 Max
| Benchmark | Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme | Apple M4 Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Core | 162 points | Higher scores | Apple M4 Max |
| Multi-Core | 1,968 points | Superior performance | Apple M4 Max |
| Max Clock Speed | 5.0 GHz boost | 4.4 GHz (16 cores) | Mixed advantage |
| NPU Performance | 80 TOPS | 38 TOPS | Snapdragon X2 |
| Core Count | Up to 18 cores | 16 cores | Snapdragon X2 |
The Reality Check
In a reference laptop showcased by Qualcomm featuring the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chip, it achieved a single-thread score of 162 points and a multi-thread score of 1,968 points at Cinebench 2024. Compared to Apple‘s M4 Max chip, Qualcomm falls short in raw CPU performance despite impressive specifications.
Where Snapdragon X2 Excels
While CPU performance lags behind Apple, the X2 Elite Extreme dominates in specific areas:
AI Performance: The new 80 TOPS NPU is the fastest in a laptop with 78% more TOPS than the previous generation 45 TOPS NPU, significantly outpacing Apple’s 38 TOPS Neural Engine.
Efficiency Claims: Up to 75% faster CPU performance at equivalent power levels while still delivering multi-day battery life represents impressive power efficiency improvements.
Technical Specifications
The flagship Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme features up to 18 cores including 12 Prime Cores that operate at 5.0 GHz single/dual-core boost and 4.4 GHz all-core boost, with 6 “Performance” cores handling lighter workloads.
The new 3rd Gen Oryon CPU delivers up to 75% faster performance than rival chips at the same power level, while a new Adreno GPU architecture boosts efficiency by 2.3x compared to the previous generation.
Market Context
Despite not being the absolute fastest, the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme represents a significant leap for Windows laptops:
- Competitive with Intel/AMD in Windows ecosystem
- Superior AI processing for Copilot+ experiences
- Better power efficiency than x86 competitors
- Strong graphics performance improvements
What This Means for Users
For most laptop buyers, the performance gap may not matter in real-world usage. The X2 Elite Extreme offers:
- All-day battery life with strong performance
- Enhanced AI capabilities for future applications
- Competitive pricing compared to premium MacBooks
For more laptop performance comparisons and SoC analysis, visit our mobile processor guides on TechnoSports.
FAQs
Should I wait for Snapdragon X2 laptops or buy Apple MacBook now?
If raw performance is priority, M4 Max MacBooks lead; for Windows ecosystem and AI features, X2 Elite is compelling.
When will Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme laptops be available?
Qualcomm laptops with X2 Elite Extreme are expected to launch in early 2026.
