In 2025, The Snapdragon X Series especially the Snapdragon X Elite took big steps forward. The year brought exciting launches, partnerships, and technical upgrades. However, it also faced some hurdles. This article covers the key developments, challenges, and future plans for Snapdragon X in 2025.
The Snapdragon X Series aims to rival traditional PC processors like Intel’s x86 chips and Apple’s M series. Qualcomm showed its commitment to shaking up the PC market this year. Let’s check what is happening this year.
Table of Contents
Key Developments in 2025 for Snapdragon
A Big Reveal at CES 2025
The year started strong with the launch of the processor X at CES 2025. This event is a major stage for tech breakthroughs. Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon as a game changer for everyday computing. It promised fast performance, long battery life, and strong AI capabilities. Tech experts praised it, naming it one of the “Best of CES 2025.” This debut set high expectations for the year ahead.
Microsoft Jumps On Board
In May 2025, Microsoft made a bold move. They released two new Surface devices powered by the Snapdragon Plus: a 13 inch Surface Laptop and a 12 inch Surface Pro. These devices stood out with impressive battery life up to 23 hours of video playback and 16 hours of web browsing. This partnership showed trust in Snapdragon X from a top PC maker and got a wider audience.
More Processing Power
Rumors surfaced in March 2025 about the next gen Snapdragon X Elite. It could get 18 cores, a 50% jump from the first version’s 12 cores. This upgrade boosts processing power significantly. It positions Snapdragon to compete with Intel’s upcoming “Panther Lake” CPUs and Apple’s M5 chip. The focus on core count reflects Qualcomm’s push to meet the demands of modern PC users.
Developing the Ecosystem
Qualcomm didn’t stop at hardware in 2025. They are making efforts to support Linux on these systems. It is in progress but this move targets developers and open source fans. It could make Snapdragon a favorite among users who want flexibility beyond Windows.
AI Gets Smarter
AI was a big focus in 2025. And Snapdragon X Elite improved its neural processing unit (NPU). This upgrade enhanced on device AI tasks like voice recognition, image processing, and real time translations. These features show how Snapdragon X is ready for the AI driven future of computing.
What Are the Challenges?
Some laptops with Snapdragon Elite faced high return rates in 2025. But reviews were mixed. While some users loved the battery life, others complained about performance dips during heavy tasks. This feedback raised questions about reliability. Qualcomm needs to address these concerns to build trust.
One big hurdle was software compatibility. Many apps did not run well on Snapdragon X devices, especially on Windows 11. The issue stems from the chip’s Arm architecture which differs from the traditional x86 setup. Users reported crashes or apps that wouldn’t launch.
The PC market is crowded with Intel and AMD x86 processors. Apple’s M series chips also set a high bar for performance and efficiency. And breaking into this space requires more than good hardware.
Also supply chain issues hit Snapdragon production. It delays chip manufacturing and slows the rollout of new devices. However, Qualcomm is working to fix it.
Future Plans
Qualcomm has big plans for late 2025. They are set to unveil the Snapdragon X2 at the Snapdragon Summit in September. This next gen chip will build on the X Elite’s strengths. It is expected to offer better performance, more cores, and enhanced AI features. This launch could solidify Qualcomm’s place in the PC market.
Qualcomm is tackling software issues quickly. They are partnering with Microsoft and app developers to improve Windows 11 support. By 2026, most major apps should run smoothly on Snapdragon processor. Qualcomm aims to lead in performance per watt. And upcoming chips will push AI capabilities further. They are targeting tasks like real time video editing and smart assistants.
We should expect more collaborations in 2026. Qualcomm is in talks with other PC giants like Lenovo and Dell. These partnerships could bring Snapdragon X to a wider range of devices. A broader lineup means more options for consumers and more market share for Qualcomm.
Conclusion
2025 was a landmark year for the Snap X Series. The CES launch and Microsoft’s adoption were standout moments. Technical upgrades like the 18 core Snapdragon X Elite, showed Qualcomm’s ambition. In future, Snapdragon X2 and improved software support shows a bright future.
FAQ
1. What is the Snapdragon X Series?
The Snapdragon X Series is a line of chips made by Qualcomm for laptops and PCs. It focuses on high performance, efficiency, and AI features.
2. What was the biggest Snapdragon X news in 2025?
The launch at CES 2025 stole the show. Microsoft’s Surface devices with Snapdragon X Plus were impressive.
3. What’s next for Snapdragon X?
Qualcomm will reveal the Snapdragon X2 in September 2025. It promises better performance, and devices should arrive in early 2026.
