Key learning points
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Qualcomm launched Snapdragon X Plus with the aim of developing fast and efficient ARM chipsets for Windows laptops.
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The Snapdragon X Plus performs on par with the flagship X Elite and features an Oryon CPU, Adreno GPU, and Hexagon NPU.
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The Snapdragon X Plus’ NPU capabilities for on-device AI applications outperform Apple’s latest M3 chipset and provide offline functionality.
While we are still waiting for the first Windows laptops powered by the Snapdragon X EliteQualcomm has introduced a new addition to its ARM chipset lineup: the Snapdragon X Plus. Sitting a tier below the Snapdragon X Elite platform, the new Snapdragon X Plus aims to bring similar levels of performance and efficiency to a wider range of products.
For years, Apple’s Macs have been much faster and more efficient than their Windows counterparts, thanks to their ARM-based M-series chipsets. Qualcomm aims to achieve a similar feat with its Snapdragon X series for Windows laptops. The company launched its flagship Snapdragon X Elite chipset late last year, and now, ahead of the first batch of Snapdragon X-series laptops, the company has unveiled the Snapdragon X Plus.
Snapdragon X Plus: Technical specifications
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Function |
Snapdragon X Plus |
|---|---|
|
Process node |
4nm |
|
CPU |
Qualcomm Oryon CPU:
|
|
GPU |
Adreno GPU (up to 3.8 TFLOPs) |
|
NPU |
Qualcomm Hexagon NPU (up to 45 TOPs) |
|
VPU |
Qualcomm Adreno video processing unit:
|
|
Memory |
LPDDR5x up to 64GB, 135GB/s bandwidth |
|
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
Wi-Fi 7/6E/6, Bluetooth 5.4 |
|
USB |
USB4 |
|
Camera |
Qualcomm Spectra Internet Service Provider:
|
|
Mobile modem |
Snapdragon X65 5G modem, download speeds up to 10 Gbps |
The Snapdragon X Plus shares a lot of similarities with its flagship sibling. It’s built on the same 4nm node process and features the same Oryon CPU (10 cores), albeit clocked slightly lower at 3.4GHz. Qualcomm claims it’s 10% faster in multi-thread CPU performance compared to Apple’s M3 and 37% faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H. The chipset also supports blazing-fast RAM with up to 135GB/s of bandwidth and up to 64GB of LPDDR5x memory.
In terms of GPU, the Snapdragon X Plus features the same Adreno GPU found in Snapdragon mobile platforms, with performance of up to 3.8 TFLOPS. Qualcomm says the GPU supports up to one internal HDR10 display at UHD resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, and up to three external UHD 60Hz displays with HDR10. The company also adds that the Adreno GPU in the X Plus matches the performance of Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H processor at half the power consumption.
Now, let’s talk about the NPU inside the Snapdragon X Plus. The Snapdragon X Plus packs the same Hexagon NPU as the X Elite, which offers up to 45 TOPS for efficient AI-driven applications on the device. In comparison, Apple’s latest M3 chipset only offers up to 18 TOPS. Qualcomm showed off a demo where a laptop powered by the Snapdragon X Plus was able to generate code in Visual Studio Code using Codegen, entirely on the device. The NPU was also demonstrated generating live captions for 100 spoken languages using Whisper on the device.
These functions typically require an AI service powered by a cloud server, but Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus can perform most of these tasks offline. In terms of connectivity, the Snapdragon X Plus offers Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, similar to the X Elite. The X Elite chip also supports cellular connectivity, offering speeds of up to 10Gbps thanks to the Snapdragon X65 5G Modem.
The launch of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus clearly reflects the company’s approach to the smartphone processor market. Just as it caters to different budgets with its smartphone chipsets, Qualcomm wants to give laptop makers options and have them ready just in time for launch. While we don’t have an exact release date for Snapdragon X Plus-based laptops, Qualcomm says they’ll hit the market around the same time as devices powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, starting in mid-2024.