Qualcomm introduces its latest entry-level chip, Snapdragon X2 Plus, for Microsoft Windows laptops at CES 2026, challenging Intel and AMD in the PC market.
The company aims to decrease reliance on smartphones, with $44.3 billion total revenue reported in 2025, $38.4 billion of which came from the QCT business, including chips for smartphones, PCs, and autos.
Snapdragon X2 Plus offers enhanced performance with up to 35% faster peak performance and 43% less power consumption compared to its predecessor, featuring a six-core or 10-core CPU, multiday battery life, and an NPU capable of 80 TOPS.
Qualcomm enters the consumer and business PC industry as Intel faces market share challenges, showcasing its commitment to surpassing user ambitions with the new platform.
In addition to the X2 Plus chip, Qualcomm launches a robotics initiative at CES 2026, anticipating a $1 trillion market for physical AI by 2040 with the introduction of the Dragonwing IQ10 chip.
Qualcomm Diversification
Qualcomm is expanding beyond smartphones into the PC market with the Snapdragon X2 Plus chip, aiming to reduce dependency on the smartphone segment.
Performance and Efficiency
The Snapdragon X2 Plus offers significant performance improvements with faster peak performance, lower power consumption, multiday battery life, and an NPU capable of 80 TOPS, enhancing AI capabilities.
Market Competition
Qualcomm's entry into PCs poses a challenge to Intel and AMD, who are also vying for dominance in the chip industry, with Intel introducing the Core Ultra Series 3 to compete.
Robotics Initiative
Qualcomm launches a robotics initiative at CES 2026 focusing on physical AI, including the Dragonwing IQ10 chip, entering a competitive landscape with Nvidia, Intel, AMD, and other chipmakers.
- Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Plus chip marks a strategic move to compete in the PC market, aiming to challenge long-time leaders Intel and AMD.
- The company's emphasis on diversification beyond smartphones demonstrates a proactive approach to evolving market trends and reducing reliance on a single product category.
- Qualcomm's focus on enhancing performance and efficiency in the Snapdragon X2 Plus chip aligns with the demand for cutting-edge technology in the PC industry, catering to the needs of modern professionals and creators.
Qualcomm's expansion into the PC market with the Snapdragon X2 Plus chip and its foray into the robotics industry underscore the company's commitment to innovation and market diversification. By introducing advanced technologies and targeting emerging sectors such as physical AI, Qualcomm positions itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of chip development and intelligent systems.