Upcoming Android PCs Featuring Snapdragon Chipsets: Leaked ‘Android 16 Private Code List’ Reveals Hardware Is Generation Behind

Google has indicated its partnership with Qualcomm for the upcoming Android PCs, a revelation made during the Snapdragon Summit when a Google executive discussed the future of the smartphone operating system. Recent reports have now confirmed their collaboration, as Qualcomm appears to be gearing up its Snapdragon System on Chips (SoCs) for these computers. However, a recent leak suggests that an older SoC will be included, putting Google at a disadvantage compared to its competitors.

Snapdragon X Elite Found in Upcoming Android PCs: A Step Behind the Competition

An insightful tweet from @Jukanlosreve on X showcases a private code list from Android 16, which lists the Snapdragon X Elite as being tested for the forthcoming Android PCs. This strongly suggests that Qualcomm has uploaded the necessary code for its laptop-oriented SoCs, indicating that this will be the hardware powering the initial wave of Android PCs.

The Snapdragon X Elite and its counterpart, the Snapdragon X Plus, made headlines upon their release. They revolutionized the market by enabling ARM-based silicon to effectively run Windows, providing both the necessary performance and energy efficiency. Nevertheless, Qualcomm is not resting on its laurels; earlier this year, it unveiled the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and Snapdragon X2 Elite, signifying its plans for continued innovation.

Rumor: Android computers appear to be on the way. Qualcomm is working on Android 16 support for the X Elite and X (series).The picture shows purwa (Snapdragon X)’s Android 16 private code list, and Qualcomm has already uploaded the Android code for X Elite and X (to the… pic.twitter.com/pQ1vnNOvgQ

— Jukan (@Jukanlosreve) November 11, 2025

However, equipping future Android PCs with the Snapdragon X Elite may not be problematic, provided that pricing is competitive. With the emergence of the M5 chipset, Google faces steep challenges ahead. It remains to be seen if solely relying on the Snapdragon X Elite is the best strategy.

Looking ahead, there’s potential for Qualcomm to introduce support for the more advanced Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and Snapdragon X2 Elite, which would enhance the competitive landscape for Android PCs. For context, the M4 Max, launched in late 2024, has already outperformed the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme in both single-core and multi-core tests according to Cinebench 2024. However, these results represent just one benchmark, so further evaluations will be essential to understand the full capabilities of these chipsets.

For the latest updates, you can follow the discussion on @Jukanlosreve.

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