Special Topic: 2026 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES)

Qualcomm officially launched the Snapdragon X2 Plus processor at CES 2026, marking a mid-range addition to its product lineup following the release of the flagship X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme last September. The new chip is offered in two variants: a 6-core and a 10-core version, utilizing the third-generation Oryon CPU architecture, paired with a Hexagon NPU delivering 80 TOPS of computing power and a new Adreno X2-45 GPU. This chip is positioned for the mid-to-high-end Windows laptop market, aiming to bring Elite-level AI acceleration capabilities, stronger graphics performance, and higher power efficiency to mainstream users, all while maintaining a more competitive price point.

A Qualcomm spokesperson stated that PCs equipped with both the X2 Elite and X2 Plus are expected to hit the market around the end of the first quarter. According to data released by Qualcomm, the 10-core version of the X2 Plus shows a 35% improvement in single-core performance and a 17% boost in multi-core performance on the Geekbench 6 test compared to the previous generation X Plus; the 6-core version also achieves a 10% increase in multi-core performance. In reference design tests conducted on the CES show floor, the 10-core version scored 3323 points in single-core and 15084 points in multi-core tests, significantly leading Intel's Core Ultra 7 256V and AMD's Ryzen AI 7 350. Regarding graphics performance, the 10-core version shows a 29% improvement in the 3DMark Steel Nomad Light test, while the 6-core version surges ahead with a 39% gain. Qualcomm also emphasized that the X2 Plus achieves a 43% improvement in power efficiency, enabling multi-day battery life.

The launch of the X2 Plus signifies that Qualcomm has established a complete product stack for the Windows laptop chip market: the top tier is occupied by the X2 Elite Extreme, the mid-to-high-end segment is covered by the X2 Elite, and the mainstream market is now addressed by the X2 Plus. The industry anticipates that Qualcomm may introduce an even more entry-level "Snapdragon X2" version at this summer's Computex, further expanding its price-performance coverage. This strategic layout will position Qualcomm for comprehensive competition in 2026 against Intel's upcoming Panther Lake and AMD's new generation of Ryzen AI chips, making this year potentially the most competitive year for the Windows laptop market in a decade. Qualcomm stated that laptops featuring the X2 Plus will officially begin shipping in the first half of 2026, with major OEMs like Lenovo, HP, and Asus set to announce related products during CES.