Qualcomm has officially announced that the first PCs equipped with the new Snapdragon Elite chips will be available in June, coinciding with the launch of a “new version of Windows.”
The revelation was made by Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm, during an interview with PC Mag. Amon stated, “We are progressing towards the launch of products featuring this chip and the new version of Windows, which integrates a wide range of artificial intelligence functions.” He added, “We are maintaining the same release timeline, contingent upon Windows, and it’s expected to be in mid-2024.”
Snapdragon Elite X will not wait for the next version of Windows 11
It appears that Microsoft plans to roll out the next version of Windows in two phases. The first phase will coincide with the launch of new devices featuring Qualcomm’s Elite X chips and the Windows Germanium platform, which integrates advanced AI features.
However, this version will not be available as a regular update for existing users. The second phase will involve an update for devices already running Windows 11, incorporating both the new Germanium platform and enhancements from the Hudson Valley update.
In simpler terms, Microsoft isn’t ready to release the full version of the next big Windows update in June. Instead, they will provide a basic version to manufacturers for pre-installation on new PCs with Qualcomm chips. The complete update will be rolled out to all users via Windows Update, likely starting in October.
The introduction of Snapdragon Elite X chips marks a significant innovation in the Windows ecosystem, promising improved performance and energy efficiency comparable to Apple’s M chips. This development will bring a renewed balance between the two major desktop operating systems.
