Image: Qualcomm
Just ahead of IFA 2024, Qualcomm has rolled out its latest addition to the Snapdragon X series processors – the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core. The new processor is aimed squarely at the lower-end spectrum of the PC market, bringing AI-driven Windows Copilot+ capabilities in the US$700-$900 range
At its core, quite literally, the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core is powered by Qualcomm's custom Oryon CPU. The company says that the processor is “61% faster in CPU performance compared to competitors” while managing to “achieve this with 179% less power”. But it’s not all about raw power as the processor also comes with a 45 TOPS NPU. It’s important to note, however, that Qualcomm didn’t share how these numbers were obtained so we’ll have to treat it with a pinch of salt until we see real-world benchmarks.
Image: Qualcomm
What does this mean for the average consumer? Potentially, more bang for your buck. The arrival of the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor means we could see more affordable – sub US$1,000 (est. S$1,400) – Windows Copilot+ PCs hitting the shelves from major brands like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. It's a noteworthy step, as it promises to bring power-efficient, AI-driven laptops into a price bracket that is more accessible for many users.
Qualcomm certainly isn’t letting up in this space, with its higher-end Snapdragon X Elite already garnering favourable reviews including from us (read our Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x review). It’s also noteworthy that this announcement was timed just after Intel officially unveiled the Core Ultra 2 series (aka Lunar Lake), its own entry into the realm of AI-driven Copilot+ PCs.
Laptops powered by the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core will be available starting today.
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