Intro to Snapdragon X Elite
Snapdragon X Elite is the most recent CPU from Qualcomm—a well-renowned processor company known for providing the best mobile processors for Android systems for more than a decade. It has become a buzzword among tech enthusiasts, especially for its capability of being the most power-efficient processor of recent times, backed by tech giants like Microsoft, Lenovo, and many OEM companies. It is powered by an Oryon CPU, Adreno GPU, and Hexagon NPU, which makes it extremely power-efficient as well as powerful enough to outperform Apple’s M2 processor in single-core performance (we will discuss that later). By far, this CPU enables OEM companies to launch the best-deal laptops, aiming to surpass AMD and Intel in the competitive market. What do you think—will it succeed?
Types of Qualcomm SD X Processors
Initially, the SD X lineup includes two types with different capabilities: SD X Elite and SD X Plus. The Plus version comes with a 10-core Oryon CPU and four different versions featuring various Adreno GPUs, while the Elite version offers a 12-core Oryon CPU and also four different versions with different Adreno GPUs. Both types share the same Hexagon NPU with 45 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second), outperforming many well-established CPUs in the market. Below are the four different versions of SD X Elite processors:
- Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-84-100):
- CPU Cores: 12 Oryon cores
- Max Frequency: 3.8 GHz (4.2 GHz dual-core boost)
- GPU Performance: 4.6 TFLOPs (Tera Floating Point Operations Per Second)
- NPU Performance: 45 TOPS
- Cache: 42 MB
- Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-80-100):
- CPU Cores: 12 Oryon cores
- Max Frequency: 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz dual-core boost)
- GPU Performance: 3.8 TFLOPs(Tera Floating Point Operations Per Second)
- NPU Performance: 45 TOPS
- Cache: 42 MB
- Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-78-100):
- CPU Cores: 12 Oryon cores
- Max Frequency: 3.4 GHz (no dual-core boost)
- GPU Performance: 3.8 TFLOPs (Tera Floating Point Operations Per Second)
- NPU Performance: 45 TOPS
- Cache: 42 MB
- Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-64-100):
- CPU Cores: 10 cores
- Max Frequency: 3.4 GHz (no dual-core boost)
- GPU Performance: 3.8 TFLOPs (Tera Floating Point Operations Per Second)
- NPU Performance: 45 TOPS
- Cache: 42 MB
Can Qualcomm Actually Beat Apple in This Race?
With Microsoft’s Surface Laptop released with the SD X Elite processor, benchmarks are surfacing from various sources and tech reviewers, providing real-time insights into the processor’s performance. One longstanding issue for Windows system users has been the battery backup of Windows laptops—often criticized for being poor. However, this processor has beaten many Apple machines with M2 chips in the battery backup game. Not only does it excel in battery life, but the performance in productivity tasks is also top-notch.
That said, when compared to Apple’s latest M3 processor, it falls short—whether in single-core or multi-core performance. So while it can outperform older Apple products, it isn’t yet developed enough to surpass Apple’s latest offerings. However, when it comes to price-to-performance ratio, the SD X Elite might be the clear winner.
Qualcomm X Elite and Its AI Supremacy
Artificial intelligence supremacy is a key focus for processor companies as AI usage continues to grow exponentially among consumers. This is where the SD X Elite shines. With a powerful Hexagon NPU, it offers cutting-edge on-device computing capabilities, enhancing generative AI performance for users.
Most SD X Elite-powered laptops are “Copilot+ PCs” with Microsoft Copilot built-in, accessible via a button. The in-house AI computing capabilities enable the device to run AI processes without requiring an internet connection. Essentially, the machine has its own independent AI-processing power, which is a feature in high demand. Qualcomm is demonstrating its excellence in this area, appealing to a growing number of users.
Drawbacks of Qualcomm X Elite
While the processor is highly efficient in terms of both power and cost, there’s a catch. The SD X Elite doesn’t deliver the gaming performance users might hope for. Despite its reputation as an efficient processor for gaming on mobile phones, it doesn’t perform as well for gaming on laptops as claimed. This is expected to improve in future iterations. For now, however, the processor offers the best deals on laptops if you’re looking for a reliable daily driver with sufficient battery backup.
Devices with Qualcomm X Elite
Many recent devices are powered by the Qualcomm SD X Elite. Here are some recommendations:
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
- Microsoft Surface Pro 11
- Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x
- Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge
- HP OmniBook X 14
- Dell XPS 13
Of these, the HP OmniBook X 14 offers the best value for money.
Flagship Mobiles with SD X Elite
Several phones have been launched recently with this powerful processor:
- OnePlus 13
- Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra
- Nubia RedMagic 10 Pro
- Motorola Edge 60 Ultra
- ASUS ROG Phone 9
Conclusion
Qualcomm is on a mission to disrupt the market currently dominated by Intel and AMD. To some extent, it has shaken the market with its SD X Elite processors. For those seeking the best value while sacrificing little and gaining more than they pay for, Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptops might be the ideal choice.
Whether you’re a business professional needing a lightweight laptop with long battery life, or someone interested in machine learning and AI with on-device computation capabilities, the power-efficient and robust SD X Elite processor could meet your needs perfectly.