Qualcomm has introduced its latest Snapdragon X chipset in India, bringing AI-powered capabilities to more affordable laptops. This new processor, part of the Snapdragon X series, aims to power Copilot+ PCs priced under $600 (around Rs. 52,000). First showcased at CES 2025, the chipset joins its more powerful siblings — the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus models — offering AI performance of up to 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS).
The launch marks Qualcomm’s effort to expand AI-driven computing to budget-friendly laptops, making advanced features more accessible to a wider audience.
AI-powered performance and hardware enhancements
The Snapdragon X chipset, officially named the X1-26-100 model, is built on a 4nm architecture and features eight Oryon CPU cores clocked at up to 3GHz. To handle graphics-intensive tasks, it is paired with a Qualcomm Adreno GPU capable of delivering 1.7 tera floating-point operations per second (TFLOPS). This setup allows support for up to three external 4K displays at 60Hz, making it suitable for multitasking and media consumption.
One of the standout features is its dedicated Hexagon neural processing unit (NPU), which enables AI performance of up to 45 TOPS. This ensures smooth AI-driven experiences, including Copilot+ features on Windows 11. The chipset also supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM with a bandwidth of 135GB/s and UFS 4.0 storage for faster data access.
High-speed connectivity and audio enhancements
Connectivity is a key focus, with support for both 5G and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring high-speed internet access. Qualcomm claims the chipset can deliver download speeds of up to 10Gbps. The inclusion of High-Band Simultaneous (HBS) Multi-Link support further enhances wireless connectivity, reducing lag for online activities.
For audio, Qualcomm has integrated its Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, enabling high-fidelity, lossless audio streaming. This ensures an improved experience when using wireless headphones, making it appealing for music enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Long battery life and AI camera features
Battery efficiency is another highlight, with Qualcomm stating that the chipset is optimised for multi-day battery life. This is a crucial feature for professionals and students who need long-lasting performance on the go.
On the camera front, the chipset supports the Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) standard and includes AI-powered features such as auto-framing, background blur, and facial authentication. These enhancements cater to video conferencing needs, ensuring clear and well-framed visuals during virtual meetings.
The first laptops featuring the Snapdragon X chipset will be the Asus Zenbook A14 and Vivobook 16 Copilot+ PCs, starting at Rs. 65,990. Qualcomm has also confirmed that more manufacturers will soon introduce laptops with this processor, further expanding options for AI-powered computing in the affordable segment.
