According to well-known leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks on X), Qualcomm is expected to unveil a new 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor during the IFA in Berlin, scheduled from September 6 to 10.
This new chip will be geared toward Copilot+ PCs, specifically targeting devices priced at $800 or more. Currently, the most affordable device featuring the 10-core Snapdragon X Plus starts at $999.
Qualcomm offers two high-end PC processors: the Snapdragon X Plus (10 cores) and the Snapdragon X Elite (12 cores). Both have been praised for their impressive combination of performance, energy efficiency, and advanced AI capabilities.
However, there has been consistent feedback that Qualcomm needs to introduce less powerful chips to compete in the mid-range market effectively. This new 8-core Snapdragon X Plus could be a step in that direction.
How is the new Snapdragon X Plus different from the rest?
The new 8-core Snapdragon X Plus, set to be released in just over a week, is built on a 4-nanometer process and shares many features with its more powerful siblings. These include a 45 TOPS NPU, support for LPDDR5x memory, up to 30MB of cache, and the ability to support three external UHD 60Hz monitors.
The primary difference lies in its GPU performance, which offers 1.7 TFLOPS, significantly lower than the 3.8 TFLOPS of the 10-core Snapdragon X Plus and the 4.6 TFLOPS of the top-tier Snapdragon X Elite. For more detailed specs, Evan Blass has shared a chart outlining all the models in the Snapdragon X Series.
This 8-core processor is expected to target devices priced at $800 or more. Given the exchange rate, prices in Europe might be slightly higher. While this development makes ARM-based Windows computers more accessible, the price point is still out of reach for many, especially those looking for true “low-mid range” options, representing a significant portion of total laptop sales.
These processors aim to deliver excellent battery life without compromising everyday performance. After testing a Surface Laptop 7 with a Snapdragon X Plus, it’s clear that these processors handle tasks efficiently. These chips are part of the Copilot+ PCs initiative, which will also introduce new Intel and AMD processors designed for the next wave of AI-driven computing.
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