Remember when the Snapdragon X first debuted, and everyone collectively lost their minds over its impressive battery life? Yeah, that was fun. But little did everyone know that Qualcomm had been sneakingly brewing something bigger and better. If you think the X first-gens were the best, your views are about to change.
The new line of processors, Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Plus are expected to push harder and run cooler. Believe it or not, it’ll even think faster than ever before. And yes, they've tweaked the battery situation as well to somehow make it last longer. So the first-gen Xs are no longer going to be your all-time favourite processor, because these two are ready to take over.
Want to know what more has changed from the standard? Head below to find out.
The Snapdragon X Series - From X2 Elite to X2 Plus
It all started with the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus, which were Qualcomm's first laptop processors. Before that, Qualcomm was exclusively focused towards the smartphone processor market. But with the launch of these processors, the company proved that ARM chips deserve a better spot than the x86 chips.
After the huge success of the X1 generation, Qualcomm decided to welcome the X2 gen. The Snapdragon X2 Elite sits at the top of the charts, while the X2 Plus sits right below it. Both processing chips target specific but different types of laptops. The X2 Elite is for non-stop, full-blown, raw performance. On the other hand, the X2 Plus is for those who want that perfect blend of performance and value.
Snapdragon X2 Elite - All That’s New
Considering the X2 Elite sits at the top of the chain, it’ll naturally cost you more. The good part is that the premium price tag comes with premium everything. Here’s how the second generation is better than the first.
CPU Upgrades
The original Snapdragon X Elite (gen 1) was packed with 12 cores in its Oryon CPU with a clock speed of 3.8 GHz. It was good enough for anyone dealing with an everyday routine workload. However, X2 Elite (gen 2)has a higher number of cores (12 to 18) and a higher clock speed (4 to 5 GHz). Thanks to this upgrade in CPU design, your processor won’t just run faster; it’ll maintain that speed for hours. It also means that the chances of your laptop experiencing thermal throttle will be reduced to zero. So, if the first generation was perfect for everyday workload, this second generation will allow you to do a great deal of multitasking alongside heavy creative workloads.
GPU Upgrades
The Adreno GPU of the first-generation processor was competent enough to pass for a decent integrated graphics card. However, all it helped with was light gaming and smooth general use. With the second generation’s Adreno card, you can enjoy a noticeable hike in the graphics quality. We’re talking super smooth frame rates with better handling of demanding apps. You can also enjoy better graphics while gaming on heavyweight apps. And get this, Qualcomm has added AVX and AVX2 emulation support, which is a big deal considering it breaks the compatibility barrier between different non-compatible) apps and Windows on ARM.
AI Enhancements
As a general rule of thumb, the higher the TOPS of NPU, the better. Now, gen 1 delivered around 45 TOPS of AI, which was already pretty competitive. However, gen 2 doubles this AI performance, delivering a max of 80 TOPS of AI. Courtesy of the Hexagon NPU, this AI can run on your laptop locally, no cloud involved. Be it background blur or live translation or any kind of AI feature, the second generation is simply better at handling such tasks. Even Microsoft Copilot features run smoother with the new gen 2 chips.
Battery Improvements
It's common knowledge that a big battery life was practically the party trick for gen 1 processors. It already beat Intel and AMD processor chips by a huge margin. The way it passed real-world endurance tests made users genuinely love it. But the second generation of this processor is the actual catch of the season. Thanks to the refined 3nm architecture, the chip does more work while drawing less power. Its improved power efficiency will extend the period that your battery lasts. So if gen 1 lasted an entire day, gen 2 will most likely last a day and a half.
Connectivity Support
Even though the connectivity support of the first generation was anything but basic, the X2 Elite brings more features to the forefront. The WiFi 6E is now replaced by WiFi 7, which brings faster wireless speed and low latency on board. The integrated 5G support also keeps you connected on the go without relying on hotspots. But our favourite feature is the Snapdragon Guardian - Qualcomm’s new security platform. It’s baked right inside the chip, handling things like ID protection, threat detection, and secure authentication. All these acts are like a lock protecting your laptop from the inside.
Snapdragon X2 Plus - What Changed?
Snapdragon X2 Plus is not the most powerful chip in the room, we’ll agree to that. But… It is one of the smartest ones out there. This chip brings a bunch of upgrades to its predecessor while pleasing the audience with its price point.
CPU Upgrades
The one word you could use to describe X Plus’s CPU would be competent or reliable. It was a solid ten-on-ten in terms of everyday performance with absolutely nothing to complain about. The X2 Plus, however, has emerged with an impressive glow-up. While there are no major upgrades in cores, the clock speed has changed for the better. Previously, the 10-core and 8-core chip variants had a 3.4 GHz clock speed. But now, the 10-core and 6-core variants run at 4 GHz max. This means you’ll witness better per-core performance, which’ll make your browser feel snappy and make your apps open faster.
GPU Upgrades
The Adreno GPU in the X2 plus gets a solid generational bump in the form of DX12 Ultimate support. There’s also OpenCL 3.0 support along with other ray tracing improvements. What does this mean in plain English? You get smoother visuals, better software compatibility in ARM, and a quality graphic experience (without needing a dedicated GPU). The list doesn’t end here. Qualcomm has tested more than 1400 games on the Snapdragon platform, and guess what? Most of them run gorgeously at 1080p and 60fps. This means that this one is perfectly capable of accommodating your casual gaming sessions.
AI Enhancements
It is a mainstream chip, so naturally, one would expect its AI to be average. But that’s where Qualcomm proves you wrong, yet again. It has the same Hexagon NPU (80 TOPS) as the X2 Elite, which makes it so much more premium than an average processing chip. Because of the Hexagon, this chip can run all the Copilot+ features (like real-time AI and live captions, etc.) just as well as the Elite. This means you’re getting the full power at the mainstream price, which is a steal deal.
Battery Improvements
The battery life of X Plus was already pretty strong, but the X2 Plus takes it a few steps further. Qualcomm is claiming that the second generation has better power efficiency than the X Plus. The 3nm architecture stretches the battery life for a few more hours, which can be a real lifesaver. And unlike other laptop processors that throttle performance the moment you unplug your battery, the second-gen keeps running at full speed. Whether you’re on an eight-hour flight or stuck in back-to-back meetings, this chip has got your back.
Final Thoughts
The Snapdragon X2 generation ain’t your regular upgrades - it’s a statement! With these releases, Qualcomm has made it clear that it is in the ARM game for good. Whether you opt for the raw power of the X2 Elite or the balanced performance of the X2 Plus, you’ll be investing in a laptop processor that actually brings value.
There are a ton of reasons to upgrade to the X2 Elite and Plus. Starting with the AI that is literally baked right inside the hardware. The all-day-long battery, better CPU performance, and non-compressible graphics quality all hint that the second generation of the Snapdragon X2 is worth investing in.
