On Thursday, Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) announced its plans to launch a new line of Arm-based Snapdragon X chips in 2024, marking a significant shift from its previous Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 chip. The new processors, developed by former Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) engineers at Nuvia, a company acquired by Qualcomm in 2021, are expected to rival Apple's M-series processors.
The Snapdragon X series will replace Qualcomm's existing Snapdragon 8CX/7C lineup for future Windows laptops and PCs. The new chips aim to match the efficiency of Apple's M2 chips and deliver MacBook-like productivity and battery life. This is a strategic move by Qualcomm to compete directly with Apple's M-series used in various devices including iMacs, Mac Minis, Mac Pros, and MacBooks.
The Snapdragon X chips are expected to feature Qualcomm's next-generation custom Oryon CPU and neural processing unit (NPU), offering a leap in performance and power efficiency. This advancement is especially important for generative AI applications and improved on-device user experiences. The chips will also support 5G connectivity, similar to the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 platform.
In addition to performance enhancements, the Snapdragon X series will introduce a unique visual design system and a clear tiering structure that differentiates entry-level from premium flagship-grade chips. This structure aims to guide users from mainstream to premium capabilities.
Despite a previous lawsuit by Apple against Nuvia co-founder Gerard Williams for poaching employees, Qualcomm is set to challenge not only Apple but also Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)'s Core and AMD's Ryzen CPUs in mainstream laptops with its new chips.
The detailed specifications of the advanced chipsets are set to be unveiled at the upcoming Snapdragon Summit 2023 in October. With superior power, efficiency, and cellular connectivity, these chips could make Windows laptops a more compelling choice for consumers.
Devices like Samsung (KS:005930)'s Galaxy Book laptops could potentially feature these new processors, heralding a revolution in the PC industry. The Snapdragon X series represents Qualcomm's latest PC chipset naming architecture, succeeding the “cx” series that concluded with the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3. These chipsets guarantee top-tier performance, cutting-edge AI functionalities, uninterrupted connectivity, and prolonged battery life.
This development marks Qualcomm's latest effort to challenge Apple's dominance in the processor market, leveraging its acquisition of Nuvia and the expertise of its co-founder Gerard Williams III.
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