Snapdragon X2 Elite Family: Two 3nm Versions with Up to 5.00GHz and 18 Cores

In addition to the much-anticipated Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Qualcomm has made headlines with the introduction of two new classes of chipsets: the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and the Snapdragon X2 Elite. These advanced processors aim to redefine performance standards in mobile computing.

Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme: Qualcomm’s Most Potent Chip Yet, Rivalling Apple’s M4 Max

The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme features a singular part number, X2E-96-100, and boasts an impressive configuration of 18 cores. This includes 12 ‘Prime’ cores and 6 performance cores. Notably, this SoC marks a milestone as the first ARM-based chip capable of reaching a clock speed of 5.00 GHz, although this peak frequency is achievable only when one or two cores are activated. To utilize these speed bursts effectively, manufacturers will need robust cooling solutions.

Qualcomm has officially announced the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and the Snapdragon X2 Elite

The processor features a sizable total cache of 53MB, with Prime cores capable of operating at a maximum frequency of 4.40GHz and performance cores reaching 3.60GHz. Additionally, the integrated Adreno GPU achieves a clock speed of 1.85GHz, while the Hexagon NPU delivers an impressive performance of 80 TOPS. The X2 Elite Extreme maintains LPDDR5X RAM support with enhanced bandwidth of 228GB/s, ensuring lightning-fast data access.

The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme will fuel the fastest, most powerful and efficient Windows PCs on the market.#SnapdragonSummit · 18-core CPU· First ARM compatible 5GHz CPU· 80 TOPs Qualcomm Hexagon NPU pic.twitter.com/bPpKdlVtz8

— Snapdragon (@Snapdragon) September 24, 2025

Snapdragon X2 Elite: Variants Tailored for Diverse Needs

In contrast, the Snapdragon X2 Elite offers two distinct variants: X2E-88-100 and X2E-80-100. The more robust variant features an 18-core architecture (12 Prime and 6 performance cores) with a maximum frequency of 4.70GHz for single or dual-core utilization. Both X2 Elite editions share a total cache of 53MB, although the less powerful model is designed with a 12-core configuration and a total cache of 34MB.

Each variant supports high-performance graphics processors operating at 1.70GHz, with the Hexagon NPU also delivering 80 TOPS. Furthermore, both chipsets are equipped to handle LPDDR5X RAM, providing memory bandwidth levels of up to 152GB/s.

Qualcomm has officially announced the Snapdragon X2 Elite lineup

The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme is designed for high-end PCs, enabling cutting-edge AI applications, data-intensive analytics, professional media editing, and scientific research. This powerhouse empowers ultimate users, experienced creators, and professionals to manage sophisticated workloads seamlessly on lightweight devices, whether stationary or mobile.

With the industry-leading 3rd Gen Qualcomm Oryon CPU, the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme promises unparalleled performance for Windows, boasting a potential CPU performance increase of up to 75% over competitors at equivalent power consumption. The new Qualcomm Adreno GPU architecture claims a 2.3X improvement in performance per watt compared to its predecessor, while the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU stands out with its AI processing capability of 80 TOPS, making it the fastest NPU currently available for laptops.

Users can expect the first laptops integrating the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and Snapdragon X2 Elite to hit the market in the first half of 2026. However, specific manufacturers and models have yet to be confirmed in Qualcomm’s announcement.

Source & Images