Snapdragon X2 Elite Reportedly in Testing With 18 CPU Cores, 64GB of RAM
Qualcomm is reportedly in the advanced testing phase of its next-generation Copilot+ PC processor, the Snapdragon X2 Elite, which is poised to take a major leap in performance and capability over its predecessor. The details, first reported by Roland Quandt of WinFuture, hint at a significantly more powerful chip designed to challenge x86 dominance in the high-performance laptop market.
According to Quandt, Qualcomm is internally testing the X2 Elite with an eye-catching 64GB of RAM—double the maximum RAM configurations seen in many current-generation Snapdragon X Elite-powered PCs. This move would represent a substantial jump not only in memory capacity but also in positioning the chip for premium and pro-level computing tasks such as AI development, creative workflows, and heavy multitasking.
Major CPU Upgrade Expected
The Snapdragon X2 Elite is said to feature 50% more CPU cores than the current Snapdragon X Elite, which launched in 2024 as Qualcomm’s flagship entry into the AI-powered PC space. While the original X Elite boasts 12 custom Oryon CPU cores, the X2 Elite may include as many as 18 cores—a significant performance uplift that could push Qualcomm even closer to competing head-to-head with Apple’s M-series chips and AMD’s Ryzen AI lineup.
Powering those cores will be Qualcomm’s next-gen Oryon V3 architecture, an evolution of the custom Arm-based CPUs the company introduced with the first-generation X Elite. While details about the Oryon V3 core architecture remain scarce, analysts expect improvements in instruction per cycle (IPC), power efficiency, and better integration with AI workloads—key factors for the burgeoning Copilot+ PC ecosystem spearheaded by Microsoft and its hardware partners.
AI and Copilot+ Integration
Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC platform, which emphasizes on-device AI processing, low latency inference, and deep OS integration, relies heavily on chips with powerful NPU (Neural Processing Unit) capabilities. Qualcomm has already set a high bar in this space, and the X2 Elite is expected to further elevate the AI performance standard with a next-gen NPU likely surpassing 75 TOPS (trillions of operations per second).
The focus on AI is a strategic priority for Qualcomm, as generative AI tools—like text generation, code assistance, image editing, and translation—become integral parts of Windows experiences. With the X2 Elite, Qualcomm is expected to deliver a chip optimized not just for speed, but also for sustained AI workloads on battery power.
Aiming at the Premium Laptop Market
If the rumored specifications hold true, the Snapdragon X2 Elite could power a new wave of Copilot+ ultrabooks, workstations, and convertibles with unprecedented performance-per-watt ratios. Qualcomm’s ambition is clear: to carve out a substantial share of the Windows PC market currently dominated by Intel and AMD, while also competing with Apple Silicon in battery life, thermals, and AI functionality.
Though no official launch date has been confirmed, industry watchers speculate that the Snapdragon X2 Elite could make its debut in late 2025, possibly aligning with Microsoft’s next big Windows feature update and a fresh wave of Copilot+ PCs from major OEMs like Lenovo, HP, Dell, and ASUS.
Outlook
With early signs pointing to a leap in memory capacity, core count, and AI capabilities, the Snapdragon X2 Elite may represent a watershed moment for Qualcomm’s PC ambitions. As the chipmaker continues to refine its Oryon architecture and deepen its collaboration with Microsoft, the X2 Elite could push Arm-based Windows laptops from niche to mainstream—delivering the performance, efficiency, and intelligence that the next generation of computing demands.
