At CES 2026, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. officially unveiled the Snapdragon X2 Plus platform, the latest addition to its rapidly evolving Snapdragon X Series for PCs. More than just an incremental refresh, Snapdragon X2 Plus represents a strategic push to redefine what mainstream Windows laptops can deliver—balancing performance, intelligence, efficiency, and portability in a way that directly responds to how people actually use their devices today.

With Snapdragon X2 Plus, Qualcomm is expanding the reach of Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs, bringing advanced on-device AI, strong CPU performance, and exceptional battery efficiency to a broader range of systems. Select devices from leading OEM partners are expected to hit the market in the first half of 2026, further accelerating the shift toward Arm-powered Windows laptops.

Built for How Consumers Actually Work

The modern PC user no longer fits into a single category. Today’s laptops must serve professionals who juggle spreadsheets and data analysis, creators who move between design tools and video timelines, and everyday users who expect instant responsiveness without being tethered to a charger. Qualcomm’s message at CES was clear: consumers set the pace—and Snapdragon X2 Plus is designed to keep up.

From the ground up, the platform targets users who demand speed, reliability, and longevity in ultra-portable form factors. Whether it’s hopping between dozens of browser tabs, running AI-accelerated workflows, or jumping on back-to-back video calls, Snapdragon X2 Plus aims to eliminate the traditional trade-offs between performance and battery life.

This is where Qualcomm believes it “sets the bar.”

3rd Gen Qualcomm Oryon CPU: Faster, Smarter, More Efficient

At the heart of Snapdragon X2 Plus lies the 3rd Gen Qualcomm Oryon CPU, which brings a substantial leap forward over the previous generation. Qualcomm claims up to 35% faster single-core CPU performance, a critical metric for everyday responsiveness, application launches, and real-world multitasking.

Perhaps more impressive is the efficiency gain: up to 43% lower power consumption compared to the prior generation. In practical terms, this means smoother performance without aggressive thermal throttling, quieter systems with fewer cooling demands, and laptops that can genuinely last across multiple days of typical use.

For ultra-thin Windows laptops, this balance of power and efficiency is essential—and it’s one of the areas where Snapdragon X2 Plus clearly positions itself against traditional x86 alternatives.

AI at the Core: 80 TOPS with Hexagon NPU

Artificial intelligence is no longer an optional feature—it’s becoming foundational to how PCs operate. Snapdragon X2 Plus reflects this shift with an integrated Qualcomm Hexagon NPU capable of delivering up to 80 TOPS of AI performance.

That level of on-device AI horsepower unlocks a new class of agentic AI experiences, where tasks such as content generation, image enhancement, language translation, summarisation, and context-aware assistance can happen locally, without constant cloud dependency. For users, this means faster responses, improved privacy, and the ability to multitask intelligently across applications.

Paired with Windows 11 Copilot+ features, the NPU allows Snapdragon X2 Plus systems to feel more proactive and personalised—anticipating user needs rather than simply reacting to them.

Seamless Multitasking and Always-Connected Experiences

Qualcomm has long emphasised connectivity as a core advantage of its platforms, and Snapdragon X2 Plus continues that tradition. Built-in support for Wi-Fi 7 ensures faster speeds, lower latency, and more stable connections in crowded environments, while optional 5G enables true always-connected PC experiences.

For professionals on the move, this means fewer compromises—working from airports, cafés, or remote locations without relying solely on tethered connections. Combined with the platform’s efficiency gains, Snapdragon X2 Plus devices are designed to stay productive wherever work happens.

Security also remains a key pillar. With Snapdragon Guardian, Qualcomm integrates hardware-based security features that help protect user data, applications, and AI workloads, reinforcing trust in an era where PCs are handling increasingly sensitive and intelligent tasks.

A Platform for the Next Generation of Windows PCs

The launch of Snapdragon X2 Plus underscores Qualcomm’s broader ambition: to make Arm-based Windows PCs not just viable, but desirable. By extending Copilot+ capabilities across more of the Snapdragon X Series lineup, Qualcomm is giving OEMs greater flexibility to build devices at different price points while maintaining a consistent experience centred on performance, AI, and battery life.

As Kedar Kondap, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Computing and Gaming at Qualcomm Technologies, put it:

“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.”

Final Thoughts

Snapdragon X2 Plus may sit below the flagship tiers of the Snapdragon X family, but its impact could be significant. By combining a faster and more efficient Oryon CPU, a powerful 80 TOPS AI engine, next-generation connectivity, and multi-day battery life, Qualcomm is setting a new baseline for what users should expect from thin and light Windows laptops in 2026.

If OEM execution and software optimisation continue to improve, Snapdragon X2 Plus could become the platform that finally brings AI-first, always-connected Windows PCs into the mainstream—without compromise.