New Delhi: CES 2026 once again became the stage where chipmakers tried to reset the laptop conversation. This year, Qualcomm Technologies walked in with a new name aimed at everyday Windows laptops, not flashy flagships. The company announced the Snapdragon X2 Plus, a processor meant for thin and light PCs that still want speed, long battery life, and built-in AI features.
For anyone following the Windows on ARM story, this launch feels like a steady next step rather than a shock move. The Snapdragon X2 Plus sits below the previously announced Snapdragon X2 Elite, but it carries much of the same DNA. Qualcomm is clearly trying to answer a question many laptop buyers ask quietly. Is this finally fast enough to challenge Intel in real-world use?
What Qualcomm announced at CES 2026
At CES, Qualcomm confirmed that Snapdragon X2 Plus is the newest entry in its Snapdragon X Series. The chip targets Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs and will power devices from leading laptop makers in the first half of 2026.
The platform uses the third generation Qualcomm Oryon CPU and an integrated Hexagon NPU rated at 80 TOPS. Qualcomm says this setup is built for professionals, creators, and regular users who want portable laptops without carrying chargers everywhere.
Kedar Kondap, senior vice president and general manager for computing and gaming at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said, “Modern professionals and creators want to do more, create more, and push the limits of generative AI and all-day performance. Snapdragon X2 Plus platform delivers the power, efficiency and intelligence to surpass their ambitions, making each experience more responsive and personal.”
Two variants, same direction
Qualcomm confirmed two versions of the Snapdragon X2 Plus. One comes with six CPU cores and the other with ten cores. Both rely on the third generation Oryon architecture and use an integrated Adreno GPU.
The six-core model is designed for efficiency-first laptops. The ten-core version mixes six Prime cores with four Performance cores, aiming for sustained workloads like coding, editing, and heavy multitasking.
According to Qualcomm, the new CPU delivers up to 35 percent faster single-core performance compared to the previous generation. Multi-core gains range from 10 percent on the six-core model to 17 percent on the ten-core chip. Graphics performance is also improved, with up to a 29 percent gain over the last generation.
The Intel comparison question
Qualcomm did not shy away from comparisons. The company claims the ten-core Snapdragon X2 Plus is around 3.5 times faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 7 265U at the same power level in Geekbench 6.5. It also says Intel’s chip needs much more power to hit peak performance.
This is where things get interesting, and also where caution is needed. Slides and benchmarks at CES often look clean. Real laptops running real apps tell a messier story. Still, Qualcomm’s confidence shows how serious it is about competing with Intel in mainstream Windows laptops.
AI, battery life, and daily use
AI is a big part of the Snapdragon X2 Plus pitch. The 80 TOPS NPU is meant to handle on-device tasks like photo editing, video effects, and AI agents without sending data to the cloud.
Battery life remains a strong talking point. Qualcomm says Snapdragon X2 Plus laptops are built for multi-day use, staying cool and quiet even under load. The company also highlighted Wi-Fi 7, optional 5G, and modern security features including Microsoft Pluton support.
As someone who has watched laptops die halfway through a long flight, the battery promise sounds familiar but welcome. Whether it holds up outside demos is something buyers will watch closely.
When laptops will arrive
Qualcomm says laptops powered by Snapdragon X2 Plus will go on sale in the first half of 2026. These machines will expand the Windows 11 Copilot+ PC lineup, which already includes Snapdragon-powered models launched last year.